VisionTo be a premier institute to advance transformative, interdisciplinary research for a sustainable future.

MissionTo serve Virginia Tech, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation and the world through high-impact research and scholarship at the intersec-tions of engineering, the sciences -- physical, life, and social -- and the humanities. To this end, advance the frontiers of knowledge and educa-tion, enhance the educational experience of undergraduate, graduate and professional students, and promote economic development through the creation and application of innovative research that enhances the quality of life and preserves our natural resources.

INSTITUTE FOR CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED SCIENCE • VIRGINIA TECH

www.ictas.vt.edu

The Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) lever-ages Virginia Tech’s existing research strengths to position the university as an agent of discovery and problem solving in the technological and scientific global environment. The institute accomplishes this mission by coordinating the university’s talented and creative faculty in the pursuit of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research. Entrepreneurial and dynamic in nature, ICTAS leads technology transformation by mak-ing strategic investments in selected research areas and by nurturing a proactive, responsive, and nimble research culture. In particular, ICTAS fosters the exploration of opportunities that support societal enhancement and preservation for future generations.

What is ICTAS?

T H E V E N N D I A G R A MThe VENN diagram represents the ICTAS view of intersecting, emerging technologies that will play a key role in transforming our lives in the 21st century. These four core technologies -- Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Cognition and Communication, guided by the principles of Sustainability, -- are geared toward generating solutions for sustainable energy, sustainable water, renewable materials, and national security. In one of its research thrusts, ICTAS focuses on emerging and disruptive technologies.

N A N O T E C H N O L O G YOne of the most important technologies of the 21st century, nanotechnology is widely expected to usher in the third industrial revolution. It involves understanding, controlling, and manipulating matter in the range of 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications that will impact every aspect of our lives from healthcare to consumer products, communications, electronics, and safety.

M O L E C U L A R A N D C E L L U L A R B I O L O G Y Molecular and cellular biology deal with understanding how living systems develop, function, and interact with each other and with nonliving systems at the molecular and microscopic levels. Molecular biology studies the molecular building blocks of cells as well as cellular communication tools such as proteins, DNAs, RNAs, carbohydrates, and lipids. Cellular biology studies cellular behaviors such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, activation, apoptosis, and migration. Molecular and cellular biology are inter-related because most of the properties and functions of a cell can be described at the molecular level.

C O G N I T I O N A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O NRich in content and potential, these converging technologies refer to information technology which includes advanced computing, communications between individuals and machines programmed with human-like characteristics, and both cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience. Examples of related research areas are developing personal sensory device interfaces, enriching community through humanized technology, learning how to learn, and enhancing tools for creativity.

S U S T A I N A B I L I T YSustainability is a metadiscipline that integrates economic, social, and environmental processes to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It recognizes that the environment -- a provider of natural resources such as water, air, and sunlight that every living inhabitant on earth depends upon -- is limited in its carrying capacity. In addition, it requires that development be economically and socially sustainable. Development should be geared toward the production of goods and services on a continuing basis and the provision of adequate social services, including healthcare and education, based on the principles of fairness, equity, stability, and security of human cultures and social systems. These principles of sustainability are woven into the fabric of the ICTAS research thrust areas.

NANO-TECHNOLOGY

SUSTAINABILITY

CELLULAR AND

MOLECULARBIOLOGY

Seed to LeadThe ICTAS research enterprise is organized in an upward growth spiral. Entry into the spiral begins with seed monies awarded yearly through a request for proposals (RFP) process. Funded proposals are those that invest in and grow areas of interdisciplinary research aligned with the ICTAS mission. Research conducted with seed monies provides preliminary data/proof of hypothesis. Building on preliminary data/research, researchers form collaborative teams and secure funds from external agencies, allowing the research to expand to the next level of the spiral, larger in scope and richer in con-tent. At this level, ICTAS assesses the possibil-ity of bringing these researchers together under the umbrella of an ICTAS center, typically com-prised of an interdisciplinary roster of twelve or more faculty engaged in a multifaceted research thrust with a significant potential for scholarship and sponsor interest. To ensure the sustainable growth of a center, ICTAS commits funding, on an ongoing basis, with the expectation that a center will become eminent in its field and expand its research expenditures. This upward-expanding spiral will enhance and increase the research capacity and reputation of Virginia Tech in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.

N A N O S C A L E S C I E N C E A N D E N G I N E E R I N G ICTAS research in this thrust focuses on develop-ing the understanding and control of matter at the nanometer scale, with an eye on developing new materials, devices, and systems for a wide spec-trum of applications including those in electronics and computers, medicine and health, aeronautics and space, environment and energy, biotechnology and agriculture, and materials and manufacturing.

An example of a targeted area is ICTAS research in environmental nanoscience and technology. It will provide new approaches for characterizing and un-derstanding anthropogenic-manufactured nanoma-terials and their natural counterparts and may result in methods for fast, real-time detection of both man-made and natural nanomaterials. This, in turn, will help us understand their environmental fate and health impacts and will lead to safer protocols for manufacturing processes and utilization.

Other areas of research include nanosensors, carbo-naceous nanomateri-als such as carbon nanotubes and nano-horns, nanodevices such as nanoknives and nanoforce trans-ducers, and novel nanocomposites for a range of applica-tions.

N A N O - B I O I N T E R F A C E Research in this thrust area includes developing fundamentally innovative techniques for advanced engineering of biological tissues and the diagno-sis/targeted treatment of diseases by exploiting phenomena that originate at the micro- and nano- scales. Researchers in this thrust investigate cel-lular interactions with nanostructured surfaces, the seamless union of computational and experimental models to drive the next generation of advances in tissue engineering and in systems biology, na-noscale assembly of biological building blocks to understand healing mechanisms, targeted delivery

of multifunctional nanoparticles for imaging, therapeutic, and immunological applications, includ-ing tumor-targeting bionanoparticles for gene delivery or selective killing of cancer cells.

S U S T A I N A B L E E N E R G Y Research in this thrust is dedicated to discovering alternative energy resources based on renewable fuels or the efficient harvesting of energy from the natural world. The spectrum of research activity for this thrust ranges from developing fuel cell materi-als and processes for transportation and stationary needs, harvesting energy from the sun with highly efficient organic photovoltaic cells and multijunc-

tion solar cells, and converting nonfood sources to biomass to produce energy-dense fuels. ICTAS researchers are also engaged in research on clean coal tech-nology and nuclear energy.

R E N E WA B L E M A T E R I A L SCurrent intense interest and rapid discoveries in biobased materials are rooted in society’s desire to replace fossil-based fuels and materials with renewable resources and our growing ability to understand and manipulate biological systems. ICTAS effort in this area is on developing a com-prehensive research and education program on bio-based materials around three major thrusts: 1) the synthesis of novel polysaccharide derivatives, the development of methods to analyze, prepare, and determine the properties of selectively substituted polysaccharides of controlled monomer sequence, the physical chemistry of polysaccharide surfaces and nanoparticles, and the utilization of lignocel-

I C T A S

Research Thrusts

lulosic materials in applications ranging from drug delivery to adhesion; 2) the chemistry of polypeptides, with emphasis on the control of polypeptide tertiary structure, the processing of polypeptides, the interaction

of polypeptides with the human body, and the uti-lization of polypeptides for applications ranging from plastics to human implants; and 3) the chemistry, engineering, and biotechnology of fuel generation from biobased materials.

S U S T A I N A B L E WA T E R To meet our nation’s current and future water needs, ICTAS research in sustainable water technologies is

focused upon improving water infrastructure and distribution, water reme-diation, water conserva-tion and water health, and upon creating new and improved technologies for the effective treat-ment and desalination of waters to create new water for our world.

C O G N I T I O N A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O N ICTAS research in cognition and communication ex-plores communication technology and computing sys-tems inspired by learning and cognition of the radio en-vironment. This emerging and exciting field promises to transform the wireless communications industry within the next decade. For example, the Cognitive Radio Networks Team develops techniques for more efficient use of spectrum for enabling higher data rates and more wireless devices and for developing automated ways for deploying and maintaining wireless infrastructure with minimal human interaction. The Autonomous Secure

Communications Team focuses on building an autonomous and secure communication system that dynamically evolves the architecture design of a network according to its environment so that the survivability, avail-ability, manageability,

capacity, integrity, and confidentiality of the commu-nication system can stay at its optimal level. Efforts in this ICTAS thrust area are focused also on cognitive sci-ence directed at providing insights into ways to present ever-expanding information to human beings, thereby enabling the most effective use of our technological advancements.

N A T I O N A L S E C U R I T YVirginia Tech’s history of exploring and offering national security solutions is cemented through the focused initiatives of the ICTAS national security

research thrust. While a broad range of opportu-nities for research in this arena exists, this thrust area focuses on applied autonomy, cognition and communication, energy, cybersecurity, and ad-vanced weapon systems.

E M E R G I N G R E S E A R C H This thrust area covers the emerging technologies that have potential to become a significant component of one of the established thrust areas or to gain status

as a new thrust area. Examples of emerging research projects include bioinspired science and technology, a humanoid hospital, innovation-based manufacturing, and discovery analytics and data mining.

Pictures:Nanoscale Science and Engineering: Thrust Leader Michael Hochella at the Titan microscope.Nano-Bio Interface: Ge Wang and student in process of bioimaging.Sustainable Energy: Michael Ellis and student in the Sustainable Energy Lab.Renewable Materials: Kevin Edgar, thrust leader.Sustainable Water: Marc Edwards, thrust leader.Cognition and Communication: Wireless@VT antenna project.National Security: GUSS, a project of CNavS.Emerging Research: Discovery Analytics research team.

ICTAS II, Life Sciences District,Virginia Tech Campus (January 2011)

ICTAS Headquarters on Stanger Street, Virginia Tech Campus (March 2009)

I C T A S

Facilities Facilities include three campus buildings encompassing 173,097 square feet brimming with cutting-edge interdis-ciplinary research activity. ICTAS also rents approximately 7,000 square feet of laboratory and office space in the Virginia Tech Research Center at Arlington, Virginia.

The four-story building encompasses 99,411 square feet and is located on the Virginia Tech campus at the corner of Turner and Stanger Streets.This building is headquarters for institute operations and home to collaborative research activity including targeted delivery of nanomedicine, tissue engineering, cogni-tive radio, environmental nanoscience and technology, sustainable energy, biobased materials, and advanced multifunctional materials. This building is also home to the School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (SBES), several conference rooms, and break rooms.

Located on Washington Street in the Life Sciences District of the Virginia Tech campus, the three-story 42,190-square-foot ICTAS II building has been rec-ognized by the Green Building Certification Institute as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified to the Gold level. This building is home to research laboratories, office space, and conference rooms. Research activity includes applied environmental biochemistry, fluvial processes, a global laboratory for bioinspired science and technol-ogy, nanobiology, nonlinear imaging and spectroscopy, organic nanostructures, pathogen ecology, pipeline corro-sion, sustainable water, and a humanoid hospital.

ICTAS Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory, Corporate Research Center adjacent to Virginia Tech (July 2007)

The two-story ICTAS Corporate Research Center facility encompasses 32,000 square feet and is located at 1991 Kraft Drive.This building is designed to minimize interference to instruments from environmental factors such as building vibration and stray electromagnetic fields and is home to the ICTAS Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory (NCFL). The NCFL occupies the first floor or approximately 16,000 square feet. This laboratory offers sophisticated instrumentation valued at more than $10 million for bio- and nanocharacterization.The building is also home to an array of research activi-ties including nuclear research, nano CT, X-ray imaging, bioAFM, nanobiomaterials, sensors and structural health monitoring, SuperDARN radar development, Extreme Laboratory research on material response at high tem-perature, and disaster and risk management, as well as related work and meeting rooms.

ICTAS at Virginia Tech Research Center - Arlington (June 2011)

ICTAS is a tenant in the five-story Virginia Tech Re-search Center - Arlington facility encompassing 144,000 square feet and located in the 800-900 block of North Glebe Road in Ballston, Virginia.ICTAS research activity in the Ballston facility is focused in three areas: energy, cyber security, and data analytics. ICTAS space in the facility is approximately 7,000 square feet.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equity and Inclusion.

Roop L. Mahajan Director mahajanr@vt.edu

Thomas Campbell Associate Director for Outreachtomca@vt.edu

William Reynolds Director for Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory reynolds@vt.edu

Robert Moore Associate Director for Research and Scholarshiprbmoore3@vt.edu

Ann Craig Associate Director for Communications and Organizational Effectiveness annc@vt.edu

Christie Thompson Associate Director for Administration and Finance cthomp@vt.edu

Jon GreeneDirector for National Security and Program Developmentgreenej@vt.edu

Executive Leadership Team

ICTAS central contact info: www.ictas.vt.edu

Stanger Street Headquarters: 540.231.2597 NCFL: 540.231.0466 ICTAS II: 540.231.4303