\n\tThe University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., and General Electric Power & Water, Schenectady, N.Y., announce plans to work together to build a $36 million research and test facility with the goal of making better massive gas turbines used by aircraft, power plants, and the oil and gas industry. The facility will have five test bays that will allow researchers to simulate full-scale engine operating environments. The turbo machines run under high stress and temperatures so hot that the metal would melt if not for the proper technology.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe partnership, which also includes the city, the state of Indiana, and a private equity firm, is expected to create research opportunities for Notre Dame and other universities, technological advances for GE and other companies, and economic development for South Bend.<\/p>\n
\n\tGE has committed $13.5 million to fund research and testing for five years, while Notre Dame plans to contribute $7.5 million and the city of South Bend is contributing $4.4 million. The state of Indiana, through the Indiana Economic Development Corp., is providing up to $600,000 in training grants and up to $2 million in infrastructure assistance. Indiana Michigan Power will invest $2 million in a new substation.<\/span><\/p>\n