The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) -- the U.S. Department of Defense's research and development office -- just awarded the University of Notre Dame's Center for Nano Science and Technology a $9.9 million contract. Now I must admit -- what this group does at ND, is "way over my head" -- so I'm just going to link you to the South Bend Tribune story!
LINK: MAJOR RESEARCH CONTRACT FOR NOTRE DAME