Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Savannah said gallium nitride avalanche photodectors could provide real-time detection of bioterrorism agents like anthrax by inducing fluorescence in the biological molecules floating in the air at ultraviolet wavelengths. Since gallium nitride photodiodes do not respond to visible light, they enable noise-free avalanche photodetectors--unlike silicon photodiodes which require strong filters to reduce noise at visible wavelengths.

Georgia Tech and the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, both units of the University System of Georgia, are developing a joint advanced education and research program for Fall semester 2008 entitled Coastal Science and Engineering.

This year nine of the 11 programs within the College of Engineering ranked among the top 10 in their respective disciplines.