The Troy Record is reporting U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko has announced Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been awarded two National Science Foundation grants totaling more than $950,000. “The vision and dedication of our Capital Region researchers, professors, and students in STEM continue to drive transformative research and innovation here and around the world,” Tonko said. The award was made to two projects: the development of 3-D printing of thermostats, led by Dr. Chang Ryu, Professor and Director of NY State Center for Polymer Synthesis in Chemistry and Chemical Biology at RPI. The other portion will be used to research epitaxy, a process of manufacturing materials used in microelectronics and renewable energy industries, led by Dr. Jian Shi, RPI Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering. “Rensselaer is a leader in developing new and improved materials, that enable a wide-array of future technologies,” said Acting Vice President of Research at Rensselaer Robert Hull in a news release. The National Science Foundation was established by Congress in 1950 and it is currently responsible for funding 25 percent of all federally backed research at the nation's colleges and universities. Read the full story in the Troy Record.