School of Mines researchers and professors received more than $500,000 in research and development funding during December 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 December award highlights:
Dr. John Helsdon, dean, graduate education, received $40,500 from the National Science Foundation for the project, "Graduate Research Fellowship Program."
Dr. James Martin, professor, geological and geological engineering, and curator of vertebrate paleontology, received $25,000 from the U.S. Department of Interior - Bureau of Land Management for the project, "Curation of Oregon Horse Fossil."
Dr. Jon Kellar, professor and chair, materials and metallurgical engineering, and Dr. Keith Whites, professor and Steven P. Miller chair, electrical and computer engineering, received $215,300 in additional funding from South Dakota State University for the project, "The 2010 Initiative: Science-Based Leadership for South Dakota."
William Arbegast, director, Advanced Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory (AMP), and instructor, materials and metallurgical engineering, received $96,250 in additional funding from the Friction Stir Processing Industry/University Cooperative Research Center Memberships for the project, "Intelligent Process Control System Algorithms for Aluminum and Steel Friction Stir Welding." Arbegast also received $96, 250 from the Friction Stir Processing Industry/University Cooperative Research Center Memberships for the project, "Design, Analysis, and Performance of "Built-Up" Aluminum Friction Stir Welded (FSW) and Friction Stir Spot Welded (FSSW) Structures."
Dr. Dana Medlin, associate professor, materials and metallurgical engineering, and Dr. Jon Kellar, professor and chair, materials and metallurgical engineering, received $15,000 from Radiance Technologies for the project, "Advanced Electronic Rosebud Integration (AERI) Research and Development Program."
Ronald Marshall, technical assistance provider, civil and environmental engineering, received $14,553 from South Dakota State University for the project, "Local Rural Road Safety Audit and Safety Tool Box."