Energy efficiency, alternative power, green building and public health will the focus of a Copper Innovation Center (CIC) just announced in the U.S.
 
The new research centre, which is backed by the Copper Development Association in the U.S, is a joint public/private initiative designed to foster collaboration across all levels of government, industry and the research community.

“The Copper Innovation Center is just another example of how the copper industry is actively looking for new solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems,” John Fennell from the Copper Development Centre.Australia (CDC), said.

“This will be a great resource whose innovations will have application right around the world and certainly we look forward to working closely with them in future.”
 
Initially the CIC will pursue a number of existing research projects-three related to die cast motor technology and two on antimicrobial copper-that are currently being undertaken in partnership with the U.S. Army.

The die cast copper motor research has three main areas of interest-ultra-efficient power systems, lightweight motors and efficient pumps, like the one being installed at the large chill water pumping facility at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The public health projects are looking at how antimicrobial copper and copper alloys can help stop the spread of bacteria and viruses in public health settings.
 
One of these at the military barracks at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, is comparing the ability of copper heating and air conditioning components with the more commonly used aluminum components to control the growth of odor-causing bacteria and fungi.

The second project is fitting three hospital intensive care units with antimicrobial copper touch surfaces to determine copper’s ability to control organisms that cause hospital-acquired infections.   

For more information http://www.copperinnovationcenter.org