Clarkson University is always near the top when it comes to engineering. But three years ago, they planted the seed of what would eventually be a major jump up the ladder. That's when State Senator Joseph Griffo secured a million dollars in state aid to go toward new facilities dedicated to nano-engineering and bio-technology research. Three years and millions more later, Griffo was on campus Monday to tour the new facilities. Our Cara Thomas gives us just a taste of some of the cool things going on inside.

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POTSDAM, N.Y. -- As soldiers are coming home from war, Clarkson University is working to help some of them return to their full potential. Clarkson's new $4 million research facility is working with the U.S. Army to create new and advanced prosthetic limbs for veterans.

Professor Kevin Fite says it is their goal to create prosthetic extremities that would eventually allow military personnel to return to duty.

"We're nearing the point where these individuals could return to full time service, but at this point, you’re looking at really just being able to restore locomotive functionality in a very kind of daily living sort of way," Fite said.

Currently, the program is working with one local amputee who in just a few hours was able to walk around the room.

"That particular device can enable activities such as going up stairs, walking up slopes, standing from a sitting position," Fite said.

And researchers aren't just helping the soldiers on the front lines. Others are working with federal organizations here at home to tighten cyber security, giving students opportunities that professors say are hard to come by.

"It's cutting edge technology and research and you're not only dealing with confronting challenges of today, but you're really preparing and being the forefront of some of the things we're going to be dealing with as we look year to year," said State Senator Joseph Griffo.

So students are learning about the challenges of the future and military amputees are given the chance at a future with prosthetic limbs that Fite says hopes will feel and work as well as the real thing.

"This research is pretty critical to restoring functional capability to these individuals and allowing them to continue to live the way they were used to living," said Fite.

Clarkson says physical therapy majors will also be involved in the prosthetic research and will eventually work with soldiers from Fort Drum.

The other research group has plans of their own. While finding ways to strengthen national security through fingerprint, eye and face recognition, they will be working alongside the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, the FBI and homeland security.

Construction on the labs is coming to a close and the research groups will be moving their work into the new facility over the holidays.