August 2017

UNC receives $4.8 million grant to confront energy poverty in Southern Africa

The National Science Foundation recently awarded a $4.8 million grant to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to help alleviate energy poverty in Southern Africa. Energy poverty is the lack of access to modern energy sources such as electricity and modern fuels -crucial resources to the well-being of individuals and communities, the environment and to the stability and growth of national economies. In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 620 million people lack access to electricity, and 730 million use solid biomass and inefficient stoves as their primary source of cooking energy.

Carolina celebrates record fundraising year

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received $543.3 million in donor commitments in fiscal year 2017 (concluding June 30, 2017), marking Carolina’s third-straight fundraising record and first time topping $500 million. The total eclipsed fiscal year 2016’s previous record of $495 million by nearly $50 million.

Samulski wins polymer chemistry award

Edward T. Samulski, Carolina chemistry professor emeritus and former chair of the applied physical sciences department, has been awarded the Herman F. Mark Polymer Chemistry award for 2017. The Herman F. Mark Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry and recognizes outstanding research and leadership in polymer science.