CLEMSON, SC — Clemson University will receive almost $5 million in appropriations in the fiscal year 2010 federal budget, according to a statement.

The money will support ongoing projects in critical research areas that will have direct economic impact on the state of South Carolina, Clemson officials said in a statement.

The total Clemson appropriations package of $ 4.92 million includes:

• $1 million to support Clemson's research in animal and veterinary science. This funding, secured by Sen. Lindsey Graham, will allow the university to build on its existing strengths in the areas of nutritional physiology and metabolism.
• $195,000 for peach tree short life-fruit tree genetics. This work identifies, characterizes and manipulates the genes and gene actions that control the normal growth and development of fruiting trees, disease resistance and the quality and yield of fruits.
• $1.28 million for advanced photonics research. This continuation of funding for significant military research is a critical step toward delivering to the combat soldier a greater complement of sensing, targeting and communications capabilities.
• $1 million for a cellulosic biofuel pilot plant. Funding will go toward developing a commercially viable technology to convert cellulosic feedstocks to biofuels and other higher-value products. Clemson has partnered with the Savannah River National Laboratory and South Carolina State University on development of this technology to create a sustainable energy industry using renewable indigenous resources.
• $500,000 for the Clemson University Cyberinstitute. The project will further develop the South Carolina Cloud, which will improve the ability of higher education institutions, technology professionals and commercial organizations to share technology resources and expertise. It provides cyberinfrastructure and bandwidth capabilities to other partner institutions.
• $350,000 for textile research. Funding will support research and development, undergraduate and graduate education, and technology transfer at Clemson in the broadly defined area of polymers, fibers and textiles research.
• $100,000 for an advanced materials innovation center. Construction is scheduled to begin next month on the innovation center at the Clemson University Advanced Materials Center in Anderson County. The facility will house new high-technology companies focused on commercializing advanced materials for applications in optoelectronics, automotive applications and the biosciences.
• $500,000 for technology for efficient and sustainable irrigated vegetable production.

By establishing research and extension activities at benchmark and satellite farms across the state using capacitance sensors and automated irrigation supplies, this funding will allow South Carolina vegetable growers to have access to demonstrations, grower training and field days.