MARIETTA - Southern Polytechnic State University is opening eight new research centers.

Each center will be involved in applied research, consulting, testing or certification services, and professional development or continuing education.

"Establishing research centers allows faculty to work together on projects of mutual interest in areas that support the university's mission and promote interdisciplinary approaches to solving problems that will benefit the citizens and industries in Georgia," said Dr. Mir Atiqullah, an associate professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology department. "Southern Polytechnic Applied Research Center will support these centers in lots of logistical ways, including helping to identify opportunities, developing proposals and administrating grants and contracts upon award."

Some of the centers will be located in existing academic buildings on campus and others will be in the new Engineering Technology Center building that is under construction, according to SPSU.

n The Biometrics Recognition Research Center will evaluate and develop facial recognition commercial products and conduct facial recognition research for innovative products.

n The Center for Information Security Education will develop new information security curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and conduct research and development in information assurance and security.

n The Center for Nuclear Power Generation will seek to establish SPSU as a leader in nuclear power generation professional education by enabling students and other participants to be trained and certified in industry regulatory codes and standards.

n The SPSU eGov Center will conduct research on electronic government processes, services and technology.

n The Georgia Pavement Research Center is a nationally recognized pavement research program to provide educational and training courses to lab technicians and engineers.

n The Supply Chain Risk Management Center will blend applied operations research, technology research, education, student involvement and industry participation.

n The Usability Center is intended to help institutions gain the edge they need to identify how to better design products with a user-centered, task oriented design focus.

n The Alternative Energy Center will conduct research, engage in educational outreach programs and promote good practices in energy conversion, storage and delivery.

University officials have also proposed three more centers: the Center for Applied Media and Gaming Arts; the Visualization and Simulation Research Center; and the Center for Advanced Materials Research and Education.