School of Mines researchers and professors received more than $126,000 in research and development funding during January 2007. 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 School of Mines boasts a solid research program. During the 2007 fiscal year, researchers and professors received more than $17.1 million in 72 awards from federal and state agencies, from corporations and from direct Congressional appropriations. Since 2001, the School of Mines has received more than $80 million in Congressional appropriations for research and development.
The January award highlights:
Dr. Gautam Pillay, vice president, research, and Dr. Haiping Hong, research scientist III, materials and metallurgical engineering, received $100,000 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense - Army Research Laboratory for the project, "Advanced Materials and Processes for Future Combat Systems."
Dr. Pallaoor Sundareshwar, assistant professor, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, received $13,750 from the United States Department of Interior - United States Geological Survey for the project, "31P NMR Analyses in Prairie Pothole Wetlands Across a Land Use Gradient."
Dr. Patricia Mahon, vice president, student affairs, and dean of students, received $12,500 from Black Hills Special Services for the project, "Tobacco Prevention."
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