School of Mines researchers and professors received more than $1 million in research and development funding during May 2008. 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 nearly $80 million in Congressional appropriations for research and development.
The May award highlights:
William Arbegast, director, Advanced Materials Processing and Joining laboratory (AMP), and instructor, materials and metallurgical engineering, and Dr. Michael West, assistant professor, materials and metallurgical engineering, received $6,000 in additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the project, "Friction Stir Processing Industry/University Cooperative Research Center."
Dr. Arden Davis, Mickelson professor, geology and geological engineering; Dr. David Dixon, chair and professor, chemical and biological engineering; and Dr. M.R. Hansen, professor, civil and environmental engineering, received $12,467 from U.S. Geological Survey for the project, "Thermal Stability of Limestone Waste for Recycling after Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water."
Dr. Edward Duke, manager of analytical services, Engineering and Mining Experiment Station, and professor, geology and geological engineering; Dr. Pallaoor Sundareshwar, assistant professor, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences; Dr. Maribeth Price, chair and associate professor, geology and geological engineering; and Dr. Donna Kliche, research scientist II, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, received $177,000 from NASA for the project, "South Dakota Space Grant Consortium."
Dr. Jon Kellar, chair and professor, materials and metallurgical engineering, and Dr. Keith Whites, professor and Steven P. Miller professor, electrical and computer engineering, received $463,582 from the National Science Foundation for the project, "The 2010 Initiative: Science-Based Leadership for South Dakota."
Dr. James Martin, professor, geology and geological engineering, received $45,946 from the United States Department of Interior-National Park Service-Badlands National Park for the project, "Provide Quality Paleontological Educational Experience at Pig Dig for the 2008 Field Season and 2008/2009 Academic Year."
Dr. Todd Menkhaus, assistant professor, chemical and biological engineering, received $25,000 in additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the project, "SDSM&T RET Site: Inspiring Educators in Rural America through Research."
Dr. Andre Petukhov, chair and professor, physics, received $15,000 in additional funding from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the project, "Spintronic Devices Enabled by Semiconducting Boron Carbide."
Dr. Gautam Pillay, vice president, research, and Dr. Umesh Korde, associate professor, mechanical engineering, received $305,000 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense - Air Force Research Laboratory for the project, "Lightweight and Novel Structures for Space.