Rice University narrowly missed a chance at federal funding for a new physics building last year. The $787 billion federal stimulus plan offered a second chance.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology announced Monday that Rice will receive $11.1 million for its Brockman Hall for Physics, a 110,000-square-foot facility designed for fundamental and applied physics research.
The building will include noise- and vibration-controlled underground labs, allowing Rice researchers to expand the types of research they are able to do, said Kathleen Matthews, a professor of biochemistry and cell biology and former dean of natural sciences.
It also will provide more flexibility. Matthews said some researchers now work late at night to minimize vibrations from passing traffic that can skew results from their ultra-sensitive instruments.
I cannot say this with complete certainty yet, but I feel pretty confident this will be worked into a MOB show at some point.
If this lab’s a rockin’, don’t bother knockin’.