ConocoPhillips, Houston, (NYSE: COP) announced it will give the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan., $1.2 million to fund a nanotechnology research study aimed at creating and improving technology to help meet growing energy demand.

The three-year program will focus on the development and testing of oilfield stimulation technologies to enhance recovery. Through its Tetriary Oil Recovery Project, KU has examined and developed similar recovery techniques for more than 30 years.

ConocoPhillips senior vice president Stephen Brand says, "KU's extensive experience in enhanced oil recovery and nanotechnology provides an ideal foundation for our collaborative research focused on developing promising new oilfield applications. ConocoPhillips is pleased to be working with KU to discover some of the next generation of solutions to the world's energy challenges."

Under the agreement, KU researchers will use nanotechnology to generate polymer-type products and will conduct initial screening and testing. ConocoPhillips will provide additional evaluation and field testing to determine the products' practical application.