Carnegie Mellon University has announced a $10 million gift from the Pittsburgh-based Henry L. Hillman Foundation to construct the Hillman Center for Future-Generation Technologies.

Planned as one of two structures in the university's new 200,000-square-foot computer science complex, the Hillman Center will serve as the main entrance to the university's School of Computer Science. The complex also will include the Gates Center for Computer Science, which was funded by a $20 million gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2004. Construction of the $98 million complex began in 2007, and both buildings are expected to open in 2009. The Hillman Center will facilitate long-term, interdisciplinary research initiatives focused on some of computer science's most challenging projects, including work in the area of programmable matter.

"Having world-class facilities for the School of Computer Science will help us continue to attract top students and faculty who will create the kinds of research results that have put us on the map as global innovators," said Randal E. Bryant, dean of the school. "With more space to collaborate and interact, we can carry through on a research agenda that will lead to big breakthroughs in the future."