A grant of $225,000 for a high technology research center in Arizona to develop the next generation of computer chips has been approved by the Arizona Commerce and Economic Development Commission.

The center will utilize the combined research resources of the University of Arizona and Arizona State University to develop the next wave of semiconductor technology.

The semiconductors will be used in the manufacturing of small, portable electronic devices including laptop computers, cellular phones, mobile fax machines and other communication systems to give them longer battery life.

"The center will capitalize on the UA strength in microelectronics chip design and on the expertise of the ASU in fabrication technology," said Sarma Vrudhula, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of the center located at the UA.