ALBANY — The Center for Advanced Materials Processing at Clarkson University, Potsdam, will get $10 million over the next 10 years to continue its high-tech research.

The New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation on Monday redesignated the facility as a Center for Advanced Technology.

"These investments demonstrate our commitment to strengthening the state's innovation economy," said Gov. David A. Paterson. "By fostering an environment that encourages technological prog-ress we are giving our institutions and companies the tools needed to strengthen and modernize the economies in Western New York and the north country as well as the rest of the state."

Clarkson's center performs scientific and engineering research with high-technology materials synthesis and processing. Research efforts focus on processes in which extremely small particles — colloidal media and/or surfaces — have an important role in the final product. The center is expanding its focus to include "smart" materials, fuel cells, solar energy and bio-molecular and pharmaceutical applications.

"This is what growing New York state's economy is all about," said Anthony G. Collins, Clarkson president. "It is exactly what is required for New York state industry to compete in a global world. We are fortunate to have Gov. Paterson's strong support for the CAT program, which is a national model of how government, industry and universities can grow a state's economy."

The science foundation's program is designed to encourage collaboration between industry and universities throughout the state to spur technology-based applied research and economic growth. Centers for advanced technology are charged with helping to boost the competitiveness of state companies by solving production, technical and applied research and development problems.