The University of Michigan is opening a $46 million complex for researchers to study nanotechnologies in energy, biotechnology and other fields.

The Center of Excellence in Nano Mechanical Science and Engineering is a 62,000-square-foot addition to laboratories on the Ann Arbor school's north campus. Researchers will be able to watch the degradation of materials that go into things like cars and medical devices.

Researchers also will be able to use tissue culture rooms to grow cells to do cancer research or test blood infections. Specially designed chambers will allow a team to study how a single molecule of DNA responds to slight forces, which could provide insight into genetic diseases.

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University of Michigan opening $46 million nanotechnology research center