FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas and the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles (AFRL/VS) directorate have joined forces to enhance education and research initiatives in physics and engineering.

The five-year, $2.75 million partnership will focus in the fields of nanotechnology and optics in an effort to create small, fast, efficient devices that use light for power, said Greg Salamo, University Professor of physics and partnership program manager for the University. The AFRL/VS is charged with moving advanced technology into satellites and other spacecraft.

"We have the nanophotonic skill and facilities that AFRL needs to enhance their ability to create the nanophotonics of the future," Salamo said. The relationship between the two institutions grew from a contract between the AFRL/VS and Space Photonics, Inc., a company with the University of Arkansas Genesis Technology Incubator. Chuck Chalfant, C.E.O. of Space Photonics, said the company creates spacecraft communications technology using fiber optics and photonics. The AFRL/VS program manager Douglas Craig of Kirtland Air Force Base has visited the University of Arkansas campus several times, and has championed the partnership.

"We wanted to formalize an agreement that laid the ground work for future collaboration," Chalfant said.

Through the agreement, students and faculty will become involved in AFRL/VS research. Laboratory personnel from AFRL/VS may teach courses on the University of Arkansas campus and help develop courses and class materials.

"The agreement will allow collaboration that will increase the possibility of joint research between both labs, with visitors going both ways for extended stays, and will mutually enhance financial support for research," Salamo said. The research partners will begin with discussions of what nanophotonic devices to tackle first. Initial faculty involved include Salamo, Chalfant and Min Xiao, professor of physics.

In addition to providing research opportunities for faculty, the partnership will offer educational opportunities for students through academic credit for work on defense laboratory research projects and academic and career advice assistance. And the educational aspects of the partnership extend into the elementary in secondary schools, where both partners have an interest in science education.

"Our philosophy here is expressed by asking people to notice that the saying is that children must learn the three "r's", NOT the three "r." The three "r's" stand for reading 'riting and 'rithmetic, and the "s" for science," Salamo said.

Sarah Faitak, the kindergarten through 12th grade outreach director for the microelectronics-photonics program at the University, will spearhead the efforts in this area.