The development of revolutionary medical implant technology will continue with full funding this year at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

The National Science Foundation has informed the university that it will renew funding for the Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials for the 2012 fiscal year at $4 million, the full amount requested. The 2012 funding will bring the NSF's support of the ERC to more than $15 million since fiscal 2009.

The ERC's mission is to produce revolutionary metallic materials and implantable medical devices for reconstruction and regeneration of bones and other body parts. It is developing screws, plates, wires and other devices made of biocompatible, biodegradable magnesium alloys. Such devices could be used in orthopedic, cranio-facial and cardiovascular applications. When they have served their purpose, they could be signaled to degrade and pass out of the body at a controlled rate, alleviating the need for additional surgery to remove them.

"The NSF conducted its third-year annual review in April and gave us a very positive report," said Jagannathan Sankar, a distinguished professor of mechanical engineering at N.C. A&T and executive director of the ERC. "The full funding of our fiscal 2012 request reflects both the progress we've made and the NSF's confidence in our team."

A&T is the lead institution on the ERC team. Research partners include the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Cincinnati and Hannover Medical School in Germany. A&T's team received its ERC award in 2008. The ERC staff at A&T includes 16 faculty members, research scientists and post-doctoral researchers; 31 graduate and undergraduate students; and seven staff members.

The A&T team's research in the first three years has resulted in the development of biocompatible magnesium alloys and the production of prototype devices. Testing has begun on the prototypes; that process will identify the most promising devices and applications, which will be the first to undergo clinical trials in humans. Such trials are still some years away, Sankar said.

"Bringing new medical devices to market typically takes 10 years or longer," he said. "When you're taking a revolutionary approach like ours, the timeframe is not likely to be shorter than average. But we're three years into it now, and we've made significant progress."

The long-running ERC program is the crown jewel of NSF engineering initiatives. The NSF's "third generation" ERC program, which includes the A&T project, has dual objectives of global scientific leadership and economic impact.

The foundation makes ERC awards on a five-year renewable basis with the possibility of up to five additional years. Full funding for year four typically leads to funding through at least year eight.

The ERC team is assisted by two advisory boards. The Industry Advisory Board includes the North Carolina Board of Science and Technology, major medical technology firms like Johnson & Johnson and Covidien, and small-business "innovation partners." The Clinical Scientific Advisory Board includes medical and biomedical clinicians from medical centers and universities around the nation, including the University of Illinois, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University.

After two years of discussions and assessments, this fiscal year North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's divisions and academic units will begin developing action items and timelines that speak to the goals and strategies outlined in the university's new strategic plan, A&T Preeminence 2020: Embracing Our Past, Creating Our Future.

A&T Preeminence 2020 aims to position N.C. A&T, by the year 2020, as an institution of choice among the nation's top students. The plan also endeavors to attain and maintain a level of high research activity; rank among the nation's leading research institutions; employ faculty and staff who are consistently recognized for distinguished achievement; have an endowment that meets the university's needs; highly engage in local and regional activities; and become a globally diverse campus.

"Preeminence implies a certain behavior," said Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr., during a recent address to faculty, staff and administrators at the annual opening day institute. "The strategic plan document only represents words on paper," he said, adding that the plan's success would be determined by employees' behaviors.

Martin reminded the group that it was they who rebuked the thought of maintaining the status quo when he painted a picture of the university's standing among its peer institutions and within The University of North Carolina system in 2009.

"We must position North Carolina A&T State University to compete," Martin said.

The Stylistics and The Manhattans, featuring Gerald Alston and Blue Lovett, will perform at the 2011Alumni Homecoming Concert Friday, Oct. 14, at Koury Convention Center in the Guilford Ballroom.

The Stylistics evolved into one of the best-selling soul groups ever, as the Philadelphia-based quartet recorded a remarkable 12 consecutive Top 10 hits during the early 1970s. The group captured the imagination of the nation and the hearts of its women with singles such as "You're a Big Girl Now" and "You Make Me Feel Brand New."

The Manhattans was formed in the 1960s as a doo-wop influenced R&B quintet. The group reinvented itself as soul balladeers during the 1970s, and has produced hits such as "Kiss and Say Goodbye," "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" and "Crazy."

Sponsored by North Carolina A&T University Foundation, Inc., the event is being billed as "An Evening with the Legends of Soul." The price of admission includes a buffet reception. Doors will open at 7 p.m., the reception begins at 7:15 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.

Reserved tables are available for $5,000, $2,500, $1,200 and $1,000 each. General admission individual tickets are $100 each. All tables seat 10.

To purchase reserved tables, contact Darlene Norman in the Foundation Office at (336) 433-5551. Patrons at the $5,000 and $2,500 levels may be eligible to receive a tax deduction of $3,622 and $1,218, respectively. For individual seats, call the University Ticket Office, (336) 334-7749.

The N.C. A&T University Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit institution. For more information, call (336) 433-5551.