North Buffalo Company Receives $7 Million in Federal Funding
Eric Ortner
North Buffalo RocketJanuary 2000: New York State may have overlooked Western New York in terms of public funding, but the federal government has been able to come through with funding on several projects. One significant source of federal money has been granted right here in North Buffalo.
On Tuesday, January 18th, it was announced at a press conference that Advanced Refractory Technologies (ART) has received a $7 million dollar defense funding grant. Jack Quinn was on hand to help make the announcement because he was a key player in securing the money. The grant will continue research which was started two years ago for the purpose of creating lightweight components for armored vehicles such as the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
The research conducted involves improved production of a high strength metal matrix composite called silicon carbide whiskers. This relatively new technology combines aluminum and metallic alloys with ceramic reinforcements to produce one of the hardest materials known to man. The most prominent military application for this alloy are the track shoes on the Bradley.
Congressman Quinn commented about his role in providing the funding for ART by saying, “I’ve learned a lot about from working with this project…When I first heard about track shoes, I thought they were talking about Nikes.” The Congressman knows better now. Especially after he was given a tour of the ART facilities located at 699 Hertel Avenue yesterday.
Although the funding is technically for military research, the knowledge gained will aid private sector business as well. Ron LaRose, Chief Operating Officer at ART, at one time worked for GM in Michigan as chief operating officer. He explained that the automotive industry would be able to use the technology “for forming lightweight and fuel efficient pistons. Other components in the suspension systems of sports utility vehicles will also benefit.”
It was mentioned during the conference that the silicon carbide whiskers were originally produced in Japan at a cost of $700 a pound 3½ years ago. Due to ART’s research the price has been reduced to about $100 a pound. ART’s ultimate goal is to reduce the material’s cost to $20 per pound.
Ultimately with these figures in mind, the federal government will be saving money on the cost of their tanks. Regardless of whether or not these savings ever actually add up, anytime $7 million comes into the neighborhood, it's a good thing.
