School of Mines researchers and professors received $256,002 in research and development funding during March 2009. This brings the current Fiscal Year 09 total to more than $14.7 million, with three months remaining. In comparison, the total amount awarded for FY08 was $10.1 million.
The awards are funding research in departments across campus. Some research is basic, and is designed to create new knowledge or to add to the literature on a given topic. Other research is applied, and is meant to produce real-world products. The School of Mines has placed an emphasis on applied research to benefit the state, region and nation.
The School of Mines, an engineering and science university in Rapid City, is home to several research institutions and centers, and plans are underway to expand the number of graduate degrees and to enhance the technology-transfer process.
The March award highlights:
Dr. Sookie Bang, professor, chemical and biological engineering, and Dr. Sangchul Bang, professor, civil and environmental engineering, received $7,939 in additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the project, "Microbial Dust Suppression."
Dr. Jan Puszynski, professor, chemical and biological engineering, received $24,563 from the United States Department of Defense - Office of Naval Research for the project, "Coating of Temperature Sensitive Crystals or Particles with Aluminum." Dr. Puszynski also received $3,000 from Black Hills Power and Light for the project, "HydroTech Hill City Well Arsenic Testing."
Dr. Michael West, assistant professor, materials and metallurgical engineering, and Dr. Jon Kellar, chair and professor, materials and metallurgical engineering, received $220,500 from the National Science Foundation for the project, "REU Site: Back to the Future."
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