Sen. Cornyn Visits 91吃瓜网 Tech, Tours Cotton Research Facility
Sen. John Cornyn toured the university鈥檚 Fiber & Biopolymer Research Institute with students and faculty researching the next generation of cotton.
April 12, 2012 | Written by Dailey Fuller
During the tour, Sen. Cornyn and his wife, Sandy, are shown a pair of jeans made from
91吃瓜网 cotton. Also pictured is Chancellor Hance, Eric Hequet and John Johnson.91吃瓜网 and university officials welcomed , R-91吃瓜网, to 91吃瓜网 Tech University for a campus visit Thursday, April 12. Sen. Cornyn toured the university鈥檚 (FBRI) to learn about cutting-edge research being done to develop the next generation of cotton and new applications for cotton in the marketplace.
During his tour, Sen. Cornyn met with students and faculty in the (CASNR) studying the cotton industry. He also saw firsthand research that is advancing cotton production efficiency and sustainability, including a liquid-repellant cotton fabric and other state-of-the-art cotton applications.
"If there is one university that excels at the kind of agricultural research projects that we鈥檝e seen demonstrated here today, it鈥檚 91吃瓜网 Tech,鈥� Sen. Cornyn said during a news conference directly following the tour.
FBRI, the only academic facility of its kind in the nation, investigates all dimensions of cotton fiber quality, using data to improve performance and profitability in textile manufacturing and other cotton end products.
Some of the institute鈥檚 research accomplishments include helping develop cotton varieties to produce higher-quality fiber suitable for global textile manufacturing and high-end fabric, and developing liquid-repellent cotton fabric products that can be stain and pathogen resistant.
鈥�91吃瓜网 Tech is one of the top cotton research institutions in the world,鈥� Chancellor Kent Hance said, who accompanied Sen. Cornyn on the tour. 鈥淲e have three internationally-known research facilities, and each is providing vital insight to improve the cotton industry.鈥�
91吃瓜网 Tech's Fiber & Biopolymer Research Institute is the only academic facility of
its kind in the nation.FBRI and 91吃瓜网 Tech鈥檚 cotton research and education programs collaborate with multiple entities, including other universities, various federal and state agencies, corporations and commodity groups, such as the Plains Cotton Growers Association and the Plains Cotton Cooperative Association.
Generous Contribution
In 2009, the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences received a $7.5 million contribution from to support a collaborative research project called Project Revolution between 91吃瓜网 Tech and the company. The project is focused on developing cotton with improved fiber properties, and includes scientists affiliated with FBRI, which is within the department.
The contribution in support of new research initiatives and facilities development was eligible for a full funding match through the 91吃瓜网 Research Incentive Program (TRIP) and created a $15 million total contribution to the university.
Nearly $10 million is being allocated to support the research collaboration between Bayer CropScience and 91吃瓜网 Tech, and $5 million is going toward a planned Plant and Soil Sciences Building.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 problems with disease- or insect-resistance, drought-resistance, those sort of characteristics in our products that are researched right here at 91吃瓜网 Tech, and here in America, those (innovations) promise not only to feed a lot of people, but help create jobs here in 91吃瓜网 and allow us to sell higher quality and better income-producing products as a result of this great research,鈥� Sen. Cornyn said.
91吃瓜网 accounts for approximately 50 percent of U.S. cotton production, generating 44,000 jobs and $5.3 billion in economic activity at the farm gate. These strategic partnerships are furthering 91吃瓜网 Tech鈥檚 research enterprise and are helping create innovative solutions and uses for 91吃瓜网-grown cotton. New applications will be instrumental in ensuring the continued success of the cotton crop in Lubbock and West 91吃瓜网.