2012 Research Report

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

2012

To Our Friends and Colleagues: I arrived at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in July 2009, just as South Dakota’s 2010 Fiscal Year was starting. Little did I realize at the time that I was beginning my tenure at the beginning of the best research year in the university’s history. Awards that year would amount to $35 million, about $15 million higher than both the preceding and the following years.

For FY12, the subject of this report, our awards were a little more than $14 million, over $20 million less than our peak year. Does this mean that the university is weaker today than it was three years ago? Absolutely not. But it does mean that our funding environment has changed and that we are in a period of adaptation to that new environment. And, yes, we are adapting.

The heart of our research program is strong and gaining strength through our recent strategic investments in new faculty and department heads. We have invested in economic development by hiring an associate vice president for research charged with managing our intellectual property. We have invested in our graduate program by hiring a full-time dean for Graduate Education. We have invested in facilities by expanding our campus into downtown Rapid City, housing a full department and a new conference facility. We have continued to focus our research strategy on four key areas: energy and environment, materials and manufacturing, underground science and engineering, and STEM education. Our strength in each of these areas is steadily improving. All of our investments will pay off in the coming years and we anticipate steady future research growth built on a strong foundation.

This 2012 Research Report showcases some of the excellent research projects pursued at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology from July 2011 through June 2012. They are only a sample of research under way at our campus, but they demonstrate the collaboration between our scientists, research centers, laboratories, government partnerships, and private industry. As you glance through this report, you will see that our scientists and engineers are working on an array of problems that range from answering very basic scientific questions to solving practical problems in the world around us. The stories in this report tell how research at the School of Mines impacts many different connected components of our society, including our national security, economy, global healthcare, and space exploration.

We should remember that research at a university has two purposes: (1) to discover new knowledge or develop new applications of knowledge; and, just as importantly, (2) to provide students with the tools necessary to face the world of tomorrow and to equip them to be leaders in that world. All of those tools are not available in the normal classroom.

Some are acquired only by serving, for a period of time, as an apprentice to an expert in a research laboratory. In this way, students develop the habits of mind that are the key to their future and to the future of society.

Students learn facts and methods in the classroom. They solve many problems along the way that come from textbooks and have been solved by generations of students before them. However, in developing and carrying out a research project, students must seek answers to questions that have not yet been answered and where the path to knowledge is not well trodden. Usually, the problems underlying research are messy because they come from the real world, a world that doesn’t fit within the covers of a textbook. But that is the world our students will face when they leave the university. Our job is to prepare them to face that world, enable them to take full advantage of the serendipitous accidents that occur in their life, and contribute to their own life’s joy and to the prosperity of the world. Research is an essential part of that preparation. You will read about a few of the students’ projects in this report.

Finally, as I reflect on this past year, I am proud of our institution, faculty, staff, and students. Our research environment is fully integrated within the educational community and alive with vibrant faculty researchers sharing their knowledge and skills with undergraduate and graduate students alike. I hope you enjoy this report and, through it, further understand the legacy of excellence we continue to build upon here at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Ronald J. White, PhD Vice President for Research

2012 Research Report

1

2

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Featured Projects Malaria Drug Testing 4 Creating Invisible Security

6

Robotics Research 8 Wave Energy Conversion

10

Space Colonization 12 B-1 bomber 14 Energy-Absorbing Helmets 22 BioEnergy & Environment

28

Laboratories and Centers Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory 18 Repair, Refurbish and Return to Service Center 19 Center for Friction Stir Processing

20

Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory 26 Experimental and Computational Mechanics Laboratory 27 Center for BioEnergy Research and Development 32 Center for BioProcessing Research and Development 33 Additive Manufacturing Laboratory

34

Engineering and Mining Experiment Station 36 Direct-Write Laboratory 37

Highlights Museum of Geology 40 Paleontology 42 SD Space Grant Consortium

44

Student Research 46 Economic Development 50 Mines Medal 52 Research Funding 54 Campus Profile 60

2012 Research Report

3

Chemistry Developing chemical tests to screen for malaria drugs When counterfeit malaria drugs infiltrate the supply system, they can go undetected for a number of reasons, including the fact that the consumer packaging, pill weight, and security holograms are nearly identical to the authentic medicine. In a large part of the world such counterfeit malaria drugs represent a major health problem.

a one-color test for a malaria drug. According to Dr. Heglund, when the specialized multiple-color (chemical reaction) tests are optimized, they will increase the capability of the current field testing minilabs by threefold for detecting authentic medications. This will be a strong confirmatory test adding three different colors for verification.

Researchers at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology have teamed up with their counterparts at the Rochester Institute of Technology to develop chemistry tests which will detect the active ingredients in malaria drugs and validate the drugs as effective. The research group includes faculty from Mahidol Vivax Research Center at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Kangwon National University in Seoul, South Korea.

Between 1999 and 2003, medical researchers conducted two surveys in which they randomly purchased artesunate, an anti-malaria drug, from pharmacies in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

According to the October 2009 issue of Smithsonian magazine, “The Fatal Consequences of Counterfeit Drugs,” the volume of fake pills rose from 38 percent to 53 percent.

Our analytical chemist, Dan Heglund, PhD, is working with this collaborative team to develop simple color-based tests which will identify that malaria medications are both present and at the prescribed dose. Commonly, counterfeit malaria drugs often include over-the-counter ingredients that researchers have discovered are not capable of giving a false positive result.

“We are taking pure chemicals found in the pills and developing specific tests that will change color. We are optimizing all variables such as temperature, solvent, and reaction conditions to offer a simple, yet sensitive means of evaluating the quality and quantity of a subset of malaria medications,” explains Dr. Heglund.

Field-based chemical test kits currently offer confirmation for many different medications including

4

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Half of the world’s population, 3.3 billion people, is at risk of contracting malaria, the deadly mosquitotransmitted infection which masquerades as the flu, with symptoms of fever and chills. Providing these tests to ensure the authenticity of malaria medication will aid those affected by the disease. The World Health Organization estimates malaria claims about 655,000 lives each year and young children are especially susceptible due to their undeveloped immune systems.

Dan Heglund, PhD, associate professor, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences Pictured right: Field-based chemical test kit GPHF-Minilab

2012 Research Report

5

6

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Nanotechnology Creating invisible security against counterfeiting

In recent years, a Quick Response (QR) Code has become the trademark, two-dimensional barcode way to represent information. Due to its fast readability and large storage capacity, this code, consisting of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square pattern on a white background, has an increased presence on consumables and advertisements today. QR Codes provide a quick link to digital content on the Internet and because of the popularity of smartphones, QR Codes have put a barcode reader in everyone’s pocket. However, malicious QR Codes combined with a permissive reader can put a computer’s contents and user’s privacy at risk by corrupting privacy settings, stealing identity, and even containing viruses. Counterfeiting costs governments and private industries billions of dollars annually due to loss of value in currency and other printed items.

Invisible QR Codes could be the new defense against counterfeiting and aid security measures for the US government. Scientists Jon Kellar, professor, and William Cross, associate professor in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, and doctoral student Jeevan Meruga collaborated with researchers from the University of South Dakota on developing inks that increase security by printing covert QR codes.

Combining nanoparticles with blue and green fluorescent ink, the researchers have developed a process that can spray this nano-ink onto surfaces such as glass, plastic film, and paper. The nano-code remains invisible until placed under a specialized laser.

When the laser is applied to the ink, a process occurs

that takes the low-energy infrared waves of the ink and converts them to high-energy waves which are visible to the human eye.

New inks are currently being optimized in order to improve the security features of QR codes. Meruga remarks, “The QR code is tough to counterfeit. We can also change our parameters to make it even more difficult to counterfeit, such as controlling the intensity of the light or using inks with a higher weight percentage of nano-particles. We can take the level of security from covert to forensic by simply adding a microscopic message in the QR code, in a different colored ink, which then requires a microscope to read the converted QR code.”

This technology could be applied to an expensive piece of art without affecting its appearance. These covert QR codes could also be used economically and efficiently for mass security printing, especially on banknotes. In addition to security printing, the team is developing a unique laboratory for the forensic analysis of printed documents.

Jon Kellar , PhD, professor, and William Cross , PhD, associate professor, Department

of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering

J e e van M e rug a , D O C TO R AL S T U D EN T, Materials Engineering and Science Program PICTURED Left: The QR code is scanned using a smartphone with a QR code reader.

2012 Research Report

7

Robotics Collaboration between air, ground, and sea

Military and commercial robotics research is exploding in today’s highly technological world. The capability to activate a robotics system, which includes a combination of air, ground, and/or sea robots, has the potential to protect people in crisis situations, help us arrive at our destination more quickly and safely, and, increase crop production.

Most robotics research to date has focused on singlesystem solutions to solve particular problems. However, these solutions are limited in their potential and applicability. Researchers at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology envision robotics within a collaborative system to not only solve a task, but also assist each other if one of them begins to fail. Randy Hoover, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, advises that a multi-system focus is particularly important for robotics systems operating in extremely hazardous environments, such as a nuclear waste silo, or remote environments, such as planetary exploration.

One of the unique components of this research is the incorporation of visual feedback. Land and air systems working together could significantly aid in the evaluation of unseen circumstances. Equipped with cameras, each robot has the ability to see one another as well as the world around them before making a decision to act. “In the future, we envision teams of unmanned systems helping increase both planting and yield of agricultural crops, assisting in the assessment and mitigation of the pine beetle infestation in the Black Hills, and helping fire crews with logistics while fighting forest fires,” Dr. Hoover states.

8

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Fostering interdisciplinary relationships is beneficial for robotics research that intertwines the departments of electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and math and computer science. While the visual feedback mechanisms are the expertise of Dr. Hoover, the formation control algorithms being investigated are supervised by Mark Bedillion, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Bedillion’s research focuses on distributed manipulation, where many simple agents cooperate to produce complex motion. In particular, airport luggage handlers could benefit from the ability of the new conveyor belt concept to move objects in any direction, but also rotate them as they move. Furthermore, this research has potential applications in parcel handling, and flexible manufacturing operations.

“With the tragic events of 9/11 and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan, the use of collaborative teams of unmanned robots to both search and rescue potential victims has become a major focus area,” Dr. Hoover explains.

Randy Hoover , PhD, assistant professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Mark Bedillion , PhD, associate professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Pictured right: Student unmaned aerial vehicle equipped with cameras soars above campus to capture HD video footage.

2012 Research Report

9

10

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Wave Energy Hydrodynamic control for high efficiency wave energy conversion

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is taking the lead on a US Navy research project that could demonstrate cost-effective, highefficiency wave energy conversion through implementation of active hydrodynamic control.

This wave energy project, initiated by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command/Engineering Service Center (NAVFAC ESC), addresses the US Navy’s desire to provide half of its energy requirements using nontraditional sources.

This project is led by Umesh Korde, PhD, Pearson Endowed Professor in Sustainable Energy, Department of Mechanical Engineering. He is responsible for coordinating the project and developing hydrodynamic control of the wave energy converter dynamics for high-efficiency generation through short and long-term changes in the wave climate.

“Ocean waves manifest a highly concentrated and stored form of wind energy (and, indirectly, solar energy), and exhibit less short-term variability than wind. Systematic efforts to utilize ocean wave energy for electricity generation have continued since the 1970s. While wave energy converters do not occupy large areas on land, current technology is not cost competitive with wind or solar power,” explains Dr. Korde.

Implementation of this research will increase the wave to electric power conversion efficiency by 200–300 percent over similar-sized structures without active control. Furthermore this will make the overall system cost competitive for the Navy’s

locations of interest, at an electric power billing rate of twenty cents per kilowatt hour. The goal is to enable supply of wave-generated electricity to coastal installations of the Department of Defense.

Industry involvement beyond the demonstration and testing phases could extend the applicability of this technology to coastal communities and commercial developments.

Research highlights include the wave-to-electricpower-conversion principle, the use of active hydrodynamic control, fullscale testing off the coasts of Northern California and Hawaii, the involvement and support of the US Navy, and the high-caliber team of university researchers from around the country. Other participants besides NAVFAC ESC include the University of California, Davis; University of Wisconsin, Madison; University of Hawaii; and the Sensors Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory.

This project provides students a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge developments directly related to the United States’ energy future.

This research is not only important to the nation’s energy security but is of great value globally.

Umesh Korde , PhD, Pearson Endowed

Professorship in Sustainable Energy, professor , Department of Mechanical Engineering Pictured left: powerful ocean swell finally comes to a stop as waves crash against rugged coastal rocks.

2012 Research Report

11

Space Colonization Creating self-sustaining, reliable human environments

12

A critical factor required for the sustained presence of humans on the moon and Mars is the ability to provide durable, lightweight, structural, and thermal insulating composites. Research being conducted at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology will help permit long-term extraterrestrial human survival and comfortable living conditions in our solar system.

NASA have resulted in the production of hollow/ porous fibers from new polymer-based formulations, which will soon undergo thermal conductivity testing in the CAPE Laboratory. Thermal insulation materials developed at SDSM&T for habitats and storage containers on the moon and Mars could also substantially reduce future heating and cooling costs on Earth.

“Currently, the cost to put a payload into space runs at least $10,000 per pound, and the mean surface temperature on the moon ranges from 110°C (230°F) during the day to -150°C (-238°F) at night,” explains David Salem, PhD, director of the Composites and Polymer Engineering (CAPE) Laboratory. Therefore, the materials used in space construction need to have mechanical properties suitable for inclusion in a load-bearing structural composite for building walls and ceilings, while having very low density.

Air is a good insulator, and the CAPE Laboratory has produced hollow-microsphere (syntactic) foams with exceptionally high sphere loadings and low densities. The more spheres included in the material, the more air (inside the spheres) is contained in the total material, creating high thermal insulation materials that are also lightweight, and therefore cheaper to transport to space.

The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology has formed a well-integrated, multi-disciplinary collaborative team with materials and metallurgical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, and the nanoscience and nanoengineering programs. With exceptional polymer/ composites processing and testing capability, research is performed across multiple scales: labscale to prototype scale, synthesis of nanoscale materials to testing of macroscale composite structures.

The research related to new multifunctional nanostructures and multi-scale structures combining low density, high-strength, and high thermal insulation, is being done in collaboration with NASA/Kennedy Space Center, and the University of South Dakota.

Recent cooperative experiments performed at

David Salem , PhD, Director, Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory, Professor Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

“This project addresses one of the grand challenges identified by the Office of the Chief Technologist at NASA: Space Colonization, which attempts to create self-sustaining, reliable human environments and habitats that enable permanent colonization of space and planetary surfaces,” states Dr. Salem.

Pictured right: red sand landscape of mars

2012 Research Report

13

14

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

B–1 bomber at Ellsworth AFB, Box Elder, South Dakota

2012 Research Report

15

16

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

B-1 bomber Cold spray technology ‘goes green,’ saving $225,000 on single repair Researchers at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in partnership with the Army Research Laboratory are developing a revolutionary new method of repairing B-1 aircraft skin panels, a process that has the potential to save the US Air Force (USAF) millions of dollars.

Prior to this research project, such panels were not repairable. The original equipment manufacturer no longer produces the twenty-five-year-old aircraft panels, so replacing the panels is extremely costly and time-consuming for the military. A significant number of airframes have similar issues with skin access panels. In fact, the research being conducted at the School of Mines is applicable throughout the Department of Defense for similar repairs on other weapon systems, and has broad commercial applications as well.

The patent-pending process developed at the School of Mines utilizes cold spray technology to deposit aluminum powder in worn and damaged areas of the panels, machines the panels back to their original dimensions, and returns them to full service. Cold spray is an emerging new technology under investigation that is capable of depositing a wide variety of metal powders to create highperformance coatings on diverse substrate materials without overheating them.

In August, the first repair was completed at the Repair, Refurbish, and Return to Service (R3S) Center, a South Dakota Governor’s 2010 Research Center on campus.

The refurbished skin panel was installed on a B-1 aircraft at Ellsworth Air Force Base. This one repair saved the USAF $225,000. By fully implementing the cold spray process to repair panels on the B-1 fleet alone, the savings for the USAF is expected to be more than $50 million. Cold spray technology repairs enable the aircraft to return parts to service quickly and

to remain in service, while providing a repair and refurbished alternative that is beneficial to the environment.

The development and implementation of the panel repair was led by Christian Widener, PhD, the director of both R3S and the Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory, in partnership with Brian James, the Air Force Engineering and Technical Services representative at Ellsworth AFB, Victor Champagne at the Army Research Laboratory, and H.F. Webster Engineering Services, Inc. Studies show this type of collaboration among the Pentagon, private sector, and universities can save hundreds of millions of dollars while improving commercial repair capabilities on legacy aircraft.

“The School of Mines has been very successful in actually transitioning technology out of the laboratory and into real platforms by partnering directly with industry, government labs, and government end users. In this way, our university has been involved in comprehensive project teams that have all of the stakeholders engaged,” states Dr. Widener.

Christian Widener , PhD, Director of Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory; Director of Repair, Refurbish and Return to Service Center; Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Acknowledgments: US Air Force photos; THE ARMY RESEARCH LAB; USAF 28 BW; ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES; OKLAHOMA CITY AIR LOGISTICS CENTER; MOOG INC.; AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS INSTITUTE. Pictured Left: SSgt Thomas Feenstra opens the Forward Equipment Bay access panel on a B-1 bomber.

2012 Research Report

17

AMP Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory The Arbegast Materials Processing (AMP) and Joining Laboratory at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is one of the founding members of the National Science Foundation’s Industry/ University Cooperative Research Center for friction stir welding and works along with other universities, the US government, and industrial sponsors from around the world in advancing these new technologies. It was established through congressional funding provided through the Army Research Laboratory and has been in operation since 2001. The laboratory is also home to the South Dakota statefunded Repair, Refurbish, Return-to-Service Applied Research Center, which focuses on developing commercial applications and repairs for the military.

The AMP Laboratory is a leader in research and development for the Department of Defense. It was created to examine advances in new technologies related to materials such as friction stir welding, cold spray deposition, and ultrasonic welding. Today, in keeping with that tradition, researchers are developing cutting-edge aircraft repairs for the US Air Force.

Other innovative projects include welding nickelbased super alloys for NASA, designing and fabricating lightweight metal matrix composite brake rotors for SAE Formula One racing team, and using friction

18

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

stir welding to develop new lightweight vehicle armor plates.

The laboratory houses a five-axis MTS ISTIR 10 Friction Stir Welding System, which is arguably the most capable friction stir welding machine at any university in the country. The laboratory also has a Riftec Refill Friction Stir Spot Welder, a Sonobond 3.5kW dual reed Ultrasonic Welder, and a custom high pressure cold spray system developed in partnership with the Army Research Lab. The mission of the AMP Laboratory is to investigate the fundamental science behind advanced materials processing technologies and to apply that knowledge to real world applications, while providing training opportunities for the next generation of engineers and scientists who solve complex problems through broad interdisciplinary collaborations.

Christian Widener , PhD, Director of Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory; Director of Repair, Refurbish and Return to Service Center; Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Pictured above: friction stir welder

R3S Repair, Refurbish and Return to Service Center The Repair, Refurbish and Return to Service (R3S) Center is an interdisciplinary research center that was established in 2010 through a grant from the State of South Dakota under the South Dakota Governor’s 2010 Research Center Program. The center uses several technologies developed in the Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory to repair products, including friction stir welding (joining without melting), cold spray (accelerating particles to super-sonic speed), and laser additive manufacturing (particles injected in laser beams for free-form fabrication). These technologies offer engineers and industry professionals the methods for retaining or improving the strengths of materials and extending the life of components, with cost-savings and reductions in waste.

Inspiration for the center came from a 2007 Aging Aircraft Repair Facility study conducted by the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Today, the R3S Center is engaged in providing fundamental and applied research and development opportunities in state-of-the-art materials joining for the Department of Defense. For example, in 2012 the center successfully repaired an aircraft skin panel for a B-1 bomber for the first time. The center’s advisory board members represent government, industry, entrepreneurs, and investors. The facility works in

partnership with academic institutions and businesses to create educational and economic development opportunities with a national reach.

Currently, the center is developing a state-of-the-art, six-axis cold spray repair system. Through a joint partnership with small businesses, the military, and Sikorsky Helicopter, the system will be the first intelligent manufacturing and repair system of its kind. The estimated economic impact for South Dakota was $700,000 in 2012, with significant potential for similar systems to generate additional sales.

Christian Widener , PhD, Director of Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory; Director of Repair, Refurbish and Return to Service Center; Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Pictured above: repairing skin panel with cold spray technology

2012 Research Report

19

CFSP Center for Friction Stir Processing

In 2004, the Center for Friction Stir Processing (CFSP) was established as a National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Conducting collaborative research focused on advancing friction stir processing, friction stir welding, and friction stir spot welding is the center’s mission. Friction stir welding is capable of joining metals without melting them and has shown higher strengths, fewer defects, lower residual stress, and less distortion than traditional fusion welding techniques. “Friction stir welding has been called the greatest advance in materials joining in the last two decades and has seen an explosive growth in research, development and application,� states Michael West, PhD, CFSP director and head of the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering.

The facility conducts friction stir welding research on many advanced alloy materials, including aluminum alloys for automotive, titanium alloys for aerospace, steels for high-strength structural applications, and nickel alloys for rockets. Friction stir processing (a variant of friction stir welding) has shown the capability to locally modify and improve the structure of metal alloy forgings and castings. The objectives of the center are to advance this technology and its implementation into industry.

20

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Researchers have also developed advanced algorithms to predict the presence of defects in the friction stir welding process as a function of feedback forces during the process. This represents a large step in developing friction stir welding control systems and may eliminate the need for non-destructive testing during weld production.

The CFSP is comprised of five university partners, including the School of Mines, Brigham Young University, the University of North Texas, Wichita State University, and the University of South Carolina.

Industrial partners include more than twenty private industrial members along with an extensive government base of support for research and development programs, with current research collaborations with the Army Research Laboratory, Office of Naval Research, NASA, Langley Research Center, the Department of Energy, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The center carries out research and prepares students to transition into positions of responsibility within these organizations.

Michael West, PhD, Director of Center for Friction Stir Processing; Department Head and Associate Professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Pictured Left: friction stir processing welder

2012 Research Report

21

22

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Mount Rushmore Army ROTC Cadets training

2012 Research Report

23

Energy-Absorbing Helmets

Improving personal protective equipment through collaboration

One of the most prevalent injuries sustained by our military personnel is Traumatic Brain Injury, which can be a result of blast waves from explosive devices. As soldiers are increasingly targeted for attacks by improvised explosive devices, an improved helmet design is not only desirable but essential.

The Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory and the Experimental and Computational Mechanics Laboratory at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology are collaborating with the Army Research Laboratory to improve the protection provided by helmets by increasing the blast absorption capabilities without significantly increasing their weight.

David Salem, PhD, director of the Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory, and his research team are developing and testing lightweight polymer-based materials that retain the helmet’s ability to stop bullets while increasing absorption of energy from blast waves. In addition to military applications, these materials are expected to be beneficial to civilians exposed to head impacts from occupational risk, such as first-responders, and athletes in contact sports where helmets are worn.

Karim Muci-Kuchler, PhD, co-director of the Experimental and Computational Mechanics Laboratory, and his research team are performing small-scale blast experiments to assess blast mitigation capabilities of different materials. A compressed gas blast

24

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

testing facility in the laboratory allows faculty, staff, and students to participate in blast wave related research. In addition, the laboratory uses computer simulations to support the experimental work.

Within these two facilities, scientists possess the rare capability to move from laboratory experiments to final helmet prototypes. This inter-laboratory collaboration allows the team to create safer helmets for both military and civilian applications.

Michael Langerman , PhD, Co-Director, Experimental and Computational Mechanics Laboratory; Department Head and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Karim Muci-Kuchler , PhD, Co-Director, Ex-

perimental and Computational Mechanics L aboratory; Professor , Department of Mechanical Engineering

David Salem , PhD, Director, Composite and Polymer Engineering Laboratory, Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Pictured Right: Shock wave interacting with surrogate head

2012 Research Report

25

CAPE Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory

The Composites and Polymer Engineering (CAPE) Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research and education center specializing in polymers and polymer matrix composites. With support from the Army Research Laboratory, the laboratory was founded in 2004 with the objective of working with industrial, government, and academic partners to explore and develop the next innovations in advanced polymerbased materials.

The laboratory possesses an exceptionally wide range of advanced equipment, from bench scale to industrial scale, including a Waeco prepregging machine, single and twin screw extruders, injection molding machine, MAAC thermoforming machine, 4-foot by 10-foot auto-clave, 100-ton compression molder, Elmarco electro-spinner, and CEAST 9,350 high-energy impact tester. This equipment provides the researchers with the unusual capability of transforming a materials science or engineering concept to a prototype, then moving to pilot production and field testing.

Current work at the CAPE Laboratory includes developing composite structures for extreme conditions. Researchers are leading a project with

26

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

NASA involving inter-department and inter-university collaborations to develop nanostructured composites combining exceptionally high thermal insulation properties with high strength and lightweight.

The goal is to create habitat construction materials which are capable of protecting humans against the harsh environments on the moon and Mars.

Funded by the Department of Defense, researchers continue to work on the development of lightweight composite structures to deflect impact and thermal energy from blast waves. The CAPE Laboratory has also established partnerships with a number of corporations in areas that include body armor, highpressure storage tanks, composite orthotics, and the processing of thermoplastic nanocomposites for custom applications.

David Salem , PhD, Director, Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory, Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Pictured above: Nanospider Needle-free electrospinning equipment for high volume nanofiber production

ECML Experimental and Computational Mechanics Laboratory

The Experimental and Computational Mechanics Laboratory (ECML) was initially founded in 2006 as the Computational Mechanics Laboratory. Since its inception, a key mission of this laboratory has been to provide basic infrastructure required to promote, support, and perform academic and research activities in the field of computational mechanics at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Computational mechanics is concerned with the numerical simulation of advanced engineering problems. It brings together highly sophisticated methods of structural and applied mechanics, computer science, and applied mathematics, and encompasses numerical methods for application to various mechanical engineering problems.

The ECML has two specialized computer laboratories and a computer server room to support computational mechanics activities. In addition, the lab houses a small-scale ballistic testing area and a small-scale compressed gas blast testing area.

The ballistic testing area has an armored enclosure in which small-caliber air rifles are used to shoot projectiles at different speeds. The basic equipment and supplies required to prepare ballistic

gelatin and PERMA-GELTM targets and to conduct bacteria distribution studies in surrogate wounds are also available.

The compressed gas blast testing area has two small diameter open-end shock tubes and a containment enclosure with clear sides. Shock waves are visualized through schlieren photography. In addition, a vertical impulse-measuring module can be used in certain tests to measure the impulse transferred from compressed gas blasts with or without an overburden of sand.

Current and recent research projects include developing extremity body armor, testing the blast mitigation capabilities of different materials, simulating the effects of improvised explosive devices in different soils, and simulating advanced manufacturing processes such as laser powder deposition and friction stir spot welding.

Karim Muci-Kuchler , PhD, and Michael Langerman , PhD, co-directors, Experimental

and Computational Mechanics Laboratory

pictured above: highspeed camera ballistic testing

2012 Research Report

27

28

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Grassy meadow overlooking Harney Peak in the Black Hills of South Dakota

2012 Research Report

29

30

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

BioEnergy & Environment Adding value to South Dakota’s economy Scientists discovered microorganisms hidden beneath both urban municipal solid waste and the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park that aid in the bioprocessing research at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Bioenergy research and development has the potential to impact job creation in South Dakota for rural areas and larger communities.

Furthermore, bioprocessing will help transition the US from a petroleum-based economy to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable bio-based economy. The School of Mines has two bioprocessing research centers focused on producing biofuels and other bio-based products, the Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development (CBRD) and Center for BioEnergy Research and Development (CBERD).

Researchers at the CBRD employ bacteria to produce biofuels and high-value bioproducts from lignocellulosic biomass and local biomass waste. This process involves deconstructing the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the biomass feedstock and then reconstructing it into fuels and chemicals. Utilizing this approach, biofuels such as hydrogen (a biofuel with the highest energy density known to date) and biochemicals such as lactic acid (a commodity chemical widely used in many industries) can be produced. The new bio-hydrogen technology employs a thermophilic consolidated bioprocessing approach that combines four processing steps in one single operation stage, with an outstanding potential for cost savings of up to 80 percent of the total hydrogen costs. On the other hand, the lactic acid fermentation process results in high yields, productivity rates, and purity of lactic acid using inexpensive fermentation media. The need for alternative energy and its sustainable production prompted these investigations.

“Our research is highly applicable,” states Lew

Christopher, CBRD director and associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, “It is a national priority to develop new energy technologies from untapped renewable resources.”

As part of the bioprocessing effort, novel ways for recovery and separation of biochemicals are being tested. New membranes are being developed that could ultimately reduce energy consumption in biorefineries by as much as 60 percent. Membranes are materials that separate chemicals based on a selective barrier that allows some chemicals to pass through while stopping others. Todd Menkhaus, principal investigator and associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, acknowledges, “while existing membranes are currently in application, they were designed for the pharmaceutical industry and water treatment industry and those membranes do not work well with the biomass feed-stock.” The new research is capable of providing faster separations, higher purity products, and last at least ten times longer than currently available membranes.

Duane Abata , PhD, Executive Director,

Center for B io Energy R esearch and Development; Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Robb Winter , PhD, Site Director, Center for BioEnergy Research and Development; Department Head and Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Lew Christopher , PhD, Director, Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development; Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Pictured Left: Switchgrass, a warm season perennial native to South Dakota

2012 Research Report

31

CBERD Center for BioEnergy Research and Development The Center for BioEnergy Research and Development (CBERD) was created and funded by the National Science Foundation in 2008 as an Industry/ University Cooperative Research Center, and the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology serves as the lead institution in this national multiuniversity consortium.

The center’s mission is to conduct collaborative research focused on delivering technological solutions that enable widespread commercialization of biofuels and bioproducts and to assist government and industry in achieving the national goal of augmenting our petroleum-based economy with renewable energy, chemicals, and biomaterials. Researchers at the center investigate existing products and processes that support present or future development platform technologies including both single and staged processes that convert biomass to useful products through biochemical and thermochemical pathways with benign materials, second generation biofuels derived from non-food sources, higher energy efficiencies, and lowered operating temperatures and pressures.

Currently there are five dynamic research foci: feedstock development, bioprocessing microbes and

32

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

enzymes, biomass-to-bioproducts, modeling and process lifecycle analysis and biofuels use, and coproduct development.

Feedstock development improves performance of targeted bioenergy systems using the tools of agronomy, plant breeding, and genomics, and includes conducting assessments of bioenergy systems’ potential through field productivity trials and resource characterization.

Bioprocessing microbes and enzymes identify and develop organisms and consortia to process the complex structure and composition of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin to produce a promising source of catalysts and processing capability for converting biomass into useful and valuable fuels, chemicals, and materials.

Modeling and process life cycle analysis is achieved by constructing models (mechanistic, empirical, and economic) of bioenergy systems and conducting targeted analyses that will aid design, inform decision making, and identify life cycle impacts. Biofuels use and co-product development improve biorefinery economics, safety, and environmental impact of bioenergy production.

CBRD Center for BioProcessing Research and Development The mission of the Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development (CBRD), created in 2006 under the South Dakota Governor’s 2010 Initiative for Economic Development, is to develop bioprocessing technologies for sustainable production of bio-energy and bioproducts and assist in technology transfer, education, and training, thereby adding value to South Dakota’s growing bio-economy. The center’s goal is to reduce national dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhance energy security and independence, mitigate release of greenhouse gas emissions, and combat climate change.

The center consists of a partnership between the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and South Dakota State University and is the lead institution for bioenergy in the state with more than 120 researchers from twelve departments with expertise that covers the entire bioprocessing chain: from feedstock development to end-product recovery. The center actively supports graduate programs and research projects on both campuses.

Researchers have recently discovered highly potent microbes capable of generating two important products. The first is lactic acid, a large-volume, commodity-chemical and an intermediate used in

the production of biodegradable polymers, specialty chemicals, food preservatives, and green solvents.

The second is biohydrogen, a biofuel that can power cars and produce electricity, considered the nonpolluting energy of the future.

The unique geographical location of the center, spanning the entire state of South Dakota, provides access to forest waste, agriwaste, native prairie grasses, and switchgrass, all of which serve as feedstock for the development of energy technologies. Some of the technologies that spin out of the center’s breakthrough research are expected to be commercialized in the near future. There is potential for far-reaching impact on the growing bio-economy of the Black Hills and the state of South Dakota.

pictured on left: ultraviolet incubator pictured above: switchgrass samples resting in a Cbrd incubator

2012 Research Report

33

34

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

AML Additive Manufacturing Laboratory Established in 2004 through a grant from the Army Research Laboratory, the Additive Manufacturing Laboratory (AML) at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is involved in cutting-edge research and development for near-net-shape manufacturing in scales ranging from microns to meters. Near-netshape manufacturing is a process that leads to a product that does not require surface finishing. The laboratory specializes in laser powder deposition and direct write technologies.

Laser powder deposition (LPD) is a technology using a focused laser beam to fuse powder metal. It is capable of forming near-net-shape parts directly from computer-generated models, or depositing high performance materials directly to an existing metal substrate. Laser powder deposition is useful for building metal prototype parts, enhancing existing parts for a longer lifespan, and repairing broken or worn out parts.

The AML houses three sophisticated LPD systems and also contains a micron-resolution laser additive manufacturing system to support fabrication of biomedical devices. The system allows for laser cladding, a method for depositing one metal on another metal using a laser and metal powder, as well as solid free-form fabrication and graded alloy development of both metallic and non-metallic materials.

LPD projects include component repair, development of laser cladding wear-resistant materials, enhancing the surface of biomedical implants, mechanical and metallurgical testing and evaluation, thermal and

stress modeling of laser clad materials, and unique component direct laser fabrication.

State-of-the-art direct write technology, supporting the printing of mesoscale materials, such as metals and ceramics for conductors, dielectrics, ferroelectrics and ferromagnetics are also housed in this laboratory.

Equipment in this facility allows for aerosol deposition, slurry/paste syringe deposition, and photonic curing.

With the materials handling capability and precision of this technology, researchers are able to manufacture conformal antennas, integrate circuitry with biomaterials, perform research involving tissue engineering and integrated lightweight electronics, and support the development of difficult and conventionally expensive-to-construct products.

Laboratory scientists work to develop these technologies and to move them from applied research to production. The laboratory is collaborating on projects with private industries such as Xaloy Incorporation, New Tech Ceramics, and Quad City Manufacturing Laboratory, with educational facilities such as the University of Western Illinois, and with Department of Defense entities such as the Army Research Lab and the Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center.

James Sears , PhD, former director, Additive M anufacturing L aboratory; current director, GE Global Research Center in Niskayuna, new york pictured left: laser powder deposition system

2012 Research Report

35

EMES Engineering and Mining Experiment Station The Engineering and Mining Experiment Station (EMES) was founded by the South Dakota Legislature more than 110 years ago, and continues to provide analytical services to the public and private sectors.

In March, a high resolution 3D X-ray microscope system, commonly referred to as micro X-ray computed tomography or microXCT, was installed. The microXCT enables scientists to view the density of materials, especially metallic samples. The instrument was funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation Program.

The system has a 150 kV X-ray source and six available detector magnifications for X-ray spatial resolution down to about one micron. It is also equipped with a tensile/compression stage capable of maximum loading of 500 newtons. This allows researchers to view material reactions being compressed or stretched.

For tomographic reconstruction and advanced visualization, the facility has a dedicated highperformance workstation featuring Avizo Fire advanced visualization software.

The microXCT system supports research and training in a range of projects, including direct write printing, paleontology, membrane bio-fouling, concrete

36

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

characterization, blast and impact personal protective equipment, soil and rock core evaluation, nano energetics, metallic foams, friction stir joining, cold spray deposition, and examination of various composite materials. These research activities receive support from a number of agencies including the National Science Foundation, US National Park Service, Department of Defense, and US Department of Agriculture.

New analytical equipment to support campus research also includes a new energy-dispersive spectrometer for measuring the energy and number of emitted X-rays, an electron backscatter diffraction system, and microscopes for security printing research. The station continues to provide services to outside clients in the jewelry manufacturing, lawn products, and concrete analysis industries.

Edward Duke , PhD, Director, Engineering and Mining Experiment Station; Director, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and South Dakota NA SA EPSCo R Program; Professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering pictured above: Micro X-R ay Computed Tomography uses X-rays to create crosssections of a 3D-object

DWL Direct-Write Laboratory The Direct-Write Laboratory (DWL) at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is focused on the use of direct-write tools to produce functional devices.

Direct-write broadly describes a number of manufacturing technologies that create parts through additive manufacturing as opposed to traditional, subtractive methods such as milling. The laboratory currently houses production systems that span all three major deposition techniques, including industrial inkjet, aerosol jet, and micro-syringe.

In addition the laboratory can produce its own ink colloidal suspensions used by the production systems and includes large volume centrifuges, sonicdismembrators, filtration systems, and fume hoods.

Initial funding for the aerosol jet (Optomec) and microsyringe (nScrypt) equipment in the Direct-Write Laboratory were provided by a contract with the Army Research Laboratory. These systems were used to conduct directed research on the feasibility of using such equipment to produce antennas for communications directly onto existing structures.

More recently, the laboratory added both an industrial inkjet system (PixDro) and wide area aerosol jet depositions system (Sono-Tek) through a grant from

the National Science Foundation. The equipment has been used on photovoltaic device manufacturing, composite materials development, and security printing research. Research facilitated by this laboratory led to the award of both single investigator and equipment acquisition grants from the National Science Foundation.

Scientists from the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical and Biological Engineering use the laboratory to facilitate research on a diverse group of projects including artificial electromagnetic materials, adaptive optics, photovoltaic cells, microwave frequency devices, and chemical sensing.

Keith Whites , PhD, professor and Steven P. Miller, Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; director, Direct-Write Laboratory Pictured above: PixDro LP50 inkjet printer

2012 Research Report

37

38

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

2012 Research Report

39

Museum of Geology

Preserving South Dakota’s past The Museum of Geology’s mission at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is to explore the natural history of Earth through scientific inquiry, preserve specimens and data as a dedicated repository for scientific research, and promote understanding of geoscience through outreach. “Our vision is to be an internationally-recognized center for collectionsbased geologic and paleontologic research, education, public outreach, and stewardship in the public trust,” states Laurie Anderson, department head and professor in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering and director of the Museum of Geology.

The Museum of Geology consists of two interrelated components: the free public museum, and the James E. Martin Paleontology Research Laboratory. The public museum, located on the third floor of the O’Harra Building, has been a repository of geologic and paleontologic specimens for over 127 years, since the inception of the School of Mines. It currently holds more than half a million specimens in the mineralogy, paleobotany, invertebrate paleontology, micropaleontology, neontology, and vertebrate paleontology collections. The museum offers worldclass displays of fossils and minerals, educational tours and programs, and public events. Exhibits highlight the rich paleontological and mineralogical resources of the South Dakota’s West River region.

The 33,000-square-foot paleontology research laboratory itself is notable. As stewards of the geologic past, creating a sustainable building was an important objective in its construction. As a result, the laboratory

40

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

became the first state-owned building in South Dakota to receive a LEED gold certification from the US Green Business Council.

The facility houses repositories for museum research collections and archives, and research laboratories.

Laboratories include facilities for sediment sample processing, geochemical sample preparation, fossil preparation, specimen and display fabrication, and 2D and 3D digital imaging. The research laboratory also serves as a regional repository for geology and paleontology collections and data for a number of federal, tribal, and state agencies.

Current research activities include a biotic survey of Amazonian mollusks, reconstruction of low-oxygen marine environments and their ecologic and evolutionary impact on invertebrate faunas, examination of environmentally induced changes in Miocene mammal faunas throughout western North America, and paleontologic resource monitoring and testing.

Laurie Anderson , PhD, department head

and professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering; director, Museum of Geology Pictured right: the upper hallway of the James E. Martin paleontology research laboratory

2012 Research Report

41

42

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Paleontology

Uncovering sought-after scientists

Researchers at the James E. Martin Paleontology Research Laboratory are currently working on a collaborative research project with the University of Nebraska and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (AGFO) near Harrison, Nebraska. The School of Mines is providing both scientific expertise and student researchers to assist in this project. “AGFO contains fossil-rich sediments preserving rhino, camel, and bear-dog (large relatives of both modern dogs and bears) fossils from approximately 20 million years ago,” explains Darrin Pagnac, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering.

Although the quarry was discovered in 1907, research on the geology and environment of deposition was not conducted. In May 2012, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology students attending the paleontology summer field course conducted initial reconnaissance of a quarry containing abundant remains of the “gazelle-camel” Stenomylus. Under the direction of Dr. Pagnac, a detailed stratigraphic analysis of the sands and silts initially deposited by an extensive river system will be conducted by graduate student Joe Gandolfi. The collection of small animal remains, such as rodents, small reptiles, and amphibians, will be the second phase of research. The compilation of data will aid under-standing of the environmental conditions surrounding the quarry sediments during the early Miocene geological epoch.

“Our institution is one of the only universities conducting active research at Agate Fossil Beds, thus providing students with a unique opportunity to

investigate the paleontology of western Nebraska,” states Dr. Pagnac.

The School of Mines offers the only master’s degree in paleontology in the United States. The graduate degree has a strong emphasis in field research and museum studies. Extensive field training makes these graduates highly sought after by employers.

Alumni include Michelle Pindorf (MS Paleo08), a fossil preparator at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; Randy Moses, who earned a PhD in geology with a paleontology concentration in 2010 and is a geologist at Arcadis US; and Matt Sauter (MS Paleo09), who is a paleontologist with Environmental Planning Group in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sauter’s work involves conducting analyses on potential impacts to minerals, soils, and fossil resources under the National Environmental Policy Act. He performs field surveys and construction monitoring to prevent the loss or destruction of fossil resources within the project construction areas. Sauter explains, “My time spent at Mines prepared me for the paleontological and geologic aspects of my work. I also acquired the skills to discover, collect, and protect fossil resources.”

Darrin Pagnac , PhD, assistant professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering Pictured Left: Agate fossil bed national monument located southwest of chadron, Nebraska

2012 Research Report

43

South Dakota Space Grant Consortium Reaching for the stars, creating opportunities

The South Dakota Space Grant Consortium (SDSGC), headquartered on the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology campus, was established in 1991 under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. The statewide network includes twenty affiliate organizations from public, private, and tribal universities; industry; museums; informal science centers; and federal government.

As the link between NASA and the citizens of South Dakota, the vision of the SDSGC is to expand opportunities for all South Dakotans through education, research, and public service in the fields of aerospace, earth, and space science.

The Consortium administers a fellowship and scholarship stipend program (approximately $150,000 in awards every year), with the goal of offering educational and research opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related fields. It also provides summer fellowships through NASA Centers, industry, and the US Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science Center to help enhance interactions among member institutions and strengthen research capabilities related to aerospace, earth science, and remote sensing.

44

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Other Consortium programs include support for undergraduate and graduate research projects and faculty member travel to NASA centers or additional destinations that may aid in developing enhanced research capabilities. The SDSGC also maintains a K-12 informal education function to help foster wider use of earth science and aerospace-related materials in precollege educational programs throughout the state, and to improve STEM education areas. Outreach activities include sponsorship of South Dakota Space Days, teacher workshops, visiting scientist programs in schools, and Aviation Careers Exploration Academy.

Edward Duke , PhD, Director, Engineering and Mining Experiment Station; Director, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and South Dakota NA SA EPSCo R Program; Professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering Tom Durkin , deputy director and Outreach coordinator, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and South Dakota NASA EPSCoR Program Pictured right: Carly Sandin , undergraduate, Department of Mechanical Engineering

2012 Research Report

45

Student Research

The School of Mines transforms intellect into impact, shaping students’ minds, knowing their contributions will shape the world. Research is integral to the Mines mission. It’s a path to progress, a means of discovery, and a vehicle of change.

Whether students are addressing the energy needs of tomorrow or improving the manufacturing processes of today, they are developing innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.

Partnering with other leading universities, research institutes, consortia, and industry worldwide, students’ trailblazing discoveries and transformative solutions make a real and immediate difference around the globe.

46

eventually be used for settlements in space. Tony Kulesa is developing thermal insulation materials for habitats on the moon.

Mines students are exceptional. Their research begins with a love of knowledge and is propelled by the good its application can do. With this ethos, their research gains universal significance, leaving a legacy of excellence as they pave the way to a better tomorrow.

Ravi Shankar , Phd candidate, Nano-science and Nanoengineering M at th e w G r i m m , M aster ’s S tudent,

Ravi Shankar’s inkjet printing of solar cells paves the way to a sustainable future. Matthew Grimm’s evaluation of materials used in protective helmets serves our troops at home and abroad. Suvarna Talluri’s isolation of hydrogen-producing microorganisms forges the fuel of the future. And Josh Hammel’s study of Laser Powder Deposition secures profits and saves lives.

Mechanical Engineering

But students not only effect change here on earth.

Eric Schmid’s research on polymer materials may

Tony Kulesa , MASTER’S Student, Civil

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Suvarna Talluri , DOC TOR AL Student, Chemical and Biological Engineering Joshua Ham m e l , D O C TO R AL student, Mechanical Engineering E r i c Sch m i d , D O C T O R A L S T U D E N T, Nanoscience and Nano-Engineering Engineering

Ravi Shankar

Matthew Grimm

Nanoscience and Nanoengineering Gaya, Bihar, India

Mechanical Engineering San Antonio, Texas

Printing progress: inkjet printing of solar cells

An explosive experiment

Volatile oil prices, climate concerns, and dependency on foreign reserves poise the energy sector for change.

As part of an effort led by Keith Whites, PhD, Ravi Shankar leads the charge, helping to develop materials and manufacturing technology of solar power generation.

Posing a threat to military and peace-keeping personnel, exposure to blast waves from improvised explosive devices may result in blast-induced Traumatic Brain Injury. Matthew Grimm, who currently works for the Southwest Research Institute, is developing experiments to evaluate the blast mitigation performance of different materials for protective helmets.

Solar cell electrode networks are currently printed on silicon wafers using a costly, direct contact method that sometimes breaks the wafers. Moreover, the thick grid lines that result cause a shadowing effect, making certain wafers less efficient. Shankar proposes to remedy these deficiencies through inkjet printing, a noncontact method that does not break the wafers and allows them to be thinner and less costly. Inkjet printing uses a drop-on-demand technique that generates and places droplets into fine lines, reducing the shadowing effect. This technique wastes little ink, lowering production costs, which may spur widespread adoption of the technology.

Engineering silver nanoparticles, identifying a solvent mixture to disperse them, and meeting the rheological requirements of the printheads, Shankar created a conductive ink to print the networks. By reducing particle size, he lowered the heating point at which the particles become conductive. This ink can then be printed on flexible substrates, allowing for broad application.

Using an acrylic plate as a human skull surrogate, Grimm designed an experiment that places various protective materials and the plate in a steel frame positioned at the receiving end of an open-ended shock tube. The shock tube generates a compressed gas blast similar to an explosive blast that impinges the materials with a shock wave. Metrics such as acceleration, velocity, displacement of the plate, and the amount of pressure transmitted through the plate are used to quantitatively evaluate the performance of the protective materials. The measurement and data analysis techniques used in Grimm’s experimental setup may be adapted for applications involving impact, which could aid in the development of first responder and occupational helmets, and those used in contact sports.

Grimm hopes to eventually use a surrogate head to measure the pressure transmitted to the brain, and determine what performance metrics contribute most to brain injury.

2012 Research Report

47

Suvarna Talluri Chemical and Biological Engineering Secunderabad, India

Mechanical Engineering Casper, Wyoming

Forging the fuel of the future

Laser Powder Deposition

Heralded as the fuel of the future, hydrogen is a clean, green technology that effects a remarkable reduction in fossil fuel dependence and in CO2 emissions, producing only water.

A state-of-the-art manufacturing process, Laser Powder Deposition (LPD) is a process in which a laser melts powdered metal into fully dense 3D structures, either coating the surface of a preexisting metal or using a metal substrate to build the structure from scratch. LPD occurs in a hazardous environment with high power density laser reflections, high temperature components, and potentially pyrophoric metal powders that may spontaneously ignite in the presence of oxygen. Developing methods to measure the process parameters, in order to better understand the process itself, is a formidable challenge. Josh Hammel, a member of the research team of Michael Langerman, PhD, undertook experimental characterization of the LPD process and has developed a novel control and management system capable of calibrating instruments, manipulating laser paths, interpreting thermal data in real time, and verifying mathematical models describing the LPD.

Interested in new biotechnologies that use microorganisms to generate biofuels and bio-chemicals, Suvarna Talluri isolated hydrogen-producing microorganisms from samples collected at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and the Rapid City landfill and composting facility. Her research yielded a surprising result. Though these bacteria produce some lactic acid in addition to hydrogen, one microbe produced it at yields similar to or higher than existing patents. Talluri was fermenting the microbe every three or four days, with results occurring every twenty minutes, justifying filing for a patent. Lactic acid has applications in food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.

Talluri pursued her initial hydrogen project simultaneously, using bacterial isolates that degrade complex substrates such as lignocellulosic biomass.

Seeking access to the carbon sources, these bacteria break down complex lignocellulose structures to fermentable sugars that are then converted to hydrogen. By using local, readily-available switchgrass and municipal solid waste, she effected significant costs savings, addressed pollution concerns, and contributed to research and economic development within the state and nation.

48

Joshua Hammel

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Centered on in-process and quality control, this data feedback loop could potentially be used to reduce deformations and thermal stresses in parts fabricated using the LPD manufacturing method. With applications ranging from farming industries to biomedical fields, this quality control assurance is imperative, as part failure may not only cost money, but lives.

Eric Schmid

Tony Kulesa

Nanoscience and Nanoengineering Park Rapids, Minnesota

Civil Engineering Rapid City, South Dakota Moving to the moon

Settlements in space

Spending the summer interning at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Eric Schmid worked on the development of new polymer materials with the goal of forming structural thermal insulation composites for future use in space habitats.

Effective insulators, like polar bear fur, trap air to improve their insulation properties. To imitate these insulators, Schmid worked with NASA scientists to develop hollow fibers containing nanoscale materials.

Future composite materials will use these novel hollow fibers, and other nanostructured materials being developed at the SDSM&T Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory, to engineer composites with a combination of high strength and high insulation properties. These composites can then be used to create paneling for containment units and structural applications in space.

From walking the hallways of the first astronaut crews to feeling the room reverberate with the rockets’ thrust during an Apollo 8 launch reenactment, Schmid’s internship at NASA offered the experience of a lifetime. Interning during Curiosity’s landing on Mars, Schmid watched the rover land early on an August morning as the sun’s first rays trickled in—a fitting tribute to a new dawn, and to all the scientists and engineers developing technology that will lead to the day when humans touch Martian soil.

Intrigued by the challenge of developing materials adaptive to the moon’s extreme environment, NASA fellowship recipient Tony Kulesa is working with researchers from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, the Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory, NASA, and the University of South Dakota to develop advanced structural thermal insulation composite materials for lunar habitats. The moon’s extreme temperature range and lack of atmospheric pressure pose a formidable challenge. These composite materials must possess low thermal conductivity to provide adequate insulation and sufficient structural strength to withstand the internal habitat pressure needed to sustain life.

Kulesa’s work focuses on computational modeling of composites created from materials such as resins, hollow fibers, syntactic foams, and aerogels. This research aims to optimize the integration of materials to create a composite with the insulating and mechanical strength properties required for extreme environments. Thermal and mechanical testing of fabricated panels will be performed to verify the design.

This technology has diverse applications in industry from the development of commercial insulation to deep sea exploration.

2012 Research Report

49

Economic Development

Entrepreneur-in-Residence assists Hydrotech Although researchers at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology are diligently working on numerous solutions to challenges our world faces, it sometimes takes years to develop companies and products for the marketplace. Hydrotech is a perfect example of a company, with huge potential, that has taken a little more time to develop the technology from the bench to the market.

Seven years ago, as regulations on arsenic levels in drinking water became stricter, researchers at the university developed a process using earth-friendly materials to build filtration systems to remove arsenic and other toxic and harmful contaminants from drinking water. Hydrotech was formed in 2005 to commercialize this technology. After years of development and the usual start-up bumps, Hydrotech will enter the market in early 2013.

While a large majority of technology-based startup businesses fail in the first few years, Hydrotech has managed to overcome the initial challenges with the help of the SDSM&T Entrepreneur-in-Residence program and key corporate partnerships.

Pete Lien and Sons is providing industry insight, funding, and other assistance as the technology is refined and optimized. Terrance Williamson, PhD, one of the founders of Hydrotech and a retired School of Mines professor notes that “without the support of Pete Lien and Sons, we would not have been able to get our product to the point it is now, ready for full scale use and introduction into the market.”

50

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

In addition, an effort by the Office of Economic Development at the university to bring talented business professionals to drive commercialization forward is a key to the recent success of Hydrotech.

These efforts include the help of an Entrepreneur-inResidence at SDSM&T, Mat Peabody (ChE72), an alumnus who joined the Hydrotech team in the spring.

He is a consultant employed by the university to assist Hyrdotech’s product over the last few hurdles.

Joseph Wright, JD, associate vice president for research-economic development, explains, “Mat’s long history of success in driving similar start-ups through this critical stage where so many companies flounder, was the main reason we approached him about becoming part of the team. We are very pleased with the progress Hydrotech has made in the last few months and are excited about the company’s future.”

Hydrotech’s product will assist in the removal of arsenic and other contaminants from drinking water sources of almost any size. Other solutions presently on the market are not able to treat smaller systems economically. In addition, because the product will be less expensive than other products currently on the market, communities with contaminate problems that have gone untreated previously because of the high cost may now have an affordable solution.

Faculty start-up aids biopharmaceutical industry A tiny invention with huge potential is the foundation of Nanofiber Separations, LLC, a SDSM&T faculty start-up. During a five-year research project sponsored by the NSF, Todd Menkhaus, PhD, and Hao Fong, PhD, associate professors in the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences, perfected the use of nanofibers specifically for applications in biopharmaceutical separations.

Production of human therapeutics such as vaccines and drug therapies requires extensive purification, which accounts for up to 80 percent of total manufacturing costs; these costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Nanofiber mat filters, developed by Dr. Menkhaus and Dr. Fong, are composed of microscopic absorbing separation material a billionth of a meter (three to four atoms) wide.

The nanofibers provide an enormous amount of surface area along with the ability to tailor the filter to fit a very specific need and provide an off-the-shelf installation into manufacturing processes. These features produce faster flow through higher capacity, less waste generation, and greatly improved manufacturing simplicity and reproducibility. The nanofiber mats can be sized to fit current, industrystandard filter holders and supports. This will allow for a seamless introduction to existing platform processes with little or no effect on surrounding processing equipment or on new therapeutic processes as they are developed. All of these improvements can generate savings of up to $110

million annually for a single therapeutic product.

When discussing the many potential applications of their technology, Dr. Menkhaus states, “We are excited about our company’s launch and are confident that the science can make a real difference in the lives of people all over the world by allowing companies to make therapeutics more affordable and by addressing other critical challenges like clean drinking water and safe food.�

Nanofibers are so small and light that just over a gram would be enough to circle the globe. As capabilities of the nanofiber mats were being developed, it became clear that a commercially-available product would be a significant improvement over existing filtration systems. As progress was made in their research, discussions with potential customers from a variety of industries confirmed a major unmet need in the marketplace and spawned the creation of Nanofiber Separations, LLC. Nanofiber Separations is currently working to complete the development and begin commercialization of the nanofiber-based separation technology product.

Although the majority of the research has been concentrated in biopharmaceutical filtration, Nanofiber Separations is looking to find ways to apply their technology to address fundamental problems such as water desalination, municipal and mining wastewater treatment, biorenewable energy, chemical and biological defense, air purification, and food processing.

2012 Research Report

51

Acting President Duane Hrncir, PhD, 2012 Mines Medalist Diana Wall, PhD, and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard

Mines Medal Recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on biodiversity, Diana Wall, PhD, was honored as the 2012 Mines Medalist. Her expertise and prolific, ground-breaking research has led her from the Antarctic Dry Valleys, where Wall Valley was named for her research contributions, to sub-Saharan Africa and the North American Great Plains.

Currently a University Distinguished Professor and Director of the School of Global Environmental Sustainability at Colorado State University, Dr. Wall is researching how habitat diversity contributes to healthy, productive soils and the consequences of human activities on soil.

She is presently a member of the US Standing Committee on Life Sciences for the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and received the SCAR President’s Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research in July 2012. She served as a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Working Group on Biodiversity Preservation and Ecosystem Sustainability, the NRC

52

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Committee on the Future of Antarctic Science, the Polar Research Board, and the US Commission of UNESCO. Dr. Wall’s research impacts not only national policy, urging government action on threats to the nation’s biodiversity and ecosystems, but international United Nations’ initiatives with far-reaching implications for sustainable human security and wellbeing.

Dr. Wall has served as co-principal investigator of the National Science Foundation McMurdo Dry Valley Long Term Ecological Research and as president of the Ecological Society of America. Her research has been featured in the New York Times, National Geographic magazine, and PBS TV shows such as Horizons and Discovery.

In addition to honoring today’s leaders in engineering and science, the Mines Medal Dinner and Award Ceremony is the university’s signature event for securing resources to fund the Mines Medal Graduate Student Fellowship.

Henok Tiruneh, 2012 Mines Medal Graduate Student Fellowship recipient

Henok Tiruneh is the recipient of the 2012 Mines Medal Graduate Student Fellowship. Tiruneh is a PhD candidate in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, expecting to finish his work by spring 2013. His research specialization is geological engineering, with a focus on characterizing rock discontinuities within the Transition Room on the 4,850-foot level of the Sanford Underground Lab in the former Homestake Gold Mine, where the large cavities to support neutrino research will be installed.

He is using fine-scale, high-resolution 3D modeling to assess rock properties that will provide data essential to designing large underground excavations, for labs at both the Lead, South Dakota, Homestake Mine and for active mining operations.

A native of Ethiopia, Tiruneh has maintained a 4.0 grade point average while a student at the School of Mines since 2009, and has served as a valued teaching assistant and research assistant within the department.

During the summer of 2012, he worked as a slope engineer at a large copper mine owned by Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. in Morenci, Arizona.

He has also worked for consulting firms RESPEC, Inc., of Rapid City, South Dakota, and CDM of Denver,

Colorado. Tiruneh has secured a position as a geological engineer, with the ultimate goal of returning to his home country to continue his career.

He was nominated for the Mines Medal Fellowship by his advisor, Larry Stetler, PhD, professor of geological engineering; Laurie Anderson, PhD, head of the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, and director of the Museum of Geology; and Kurt Katzenstein, PhD, assistant professor of geological engineering.

The Mines Medal, initiated in 2009 by President Robert A. Wharton, PhD, is a national award presented by the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology to honor engineers and scientists who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation. The annual award highlights the significant role these individuals play to ensure the United States’ global preeminence in engineering and science.

2012 Research Report

53

Research Funding The chart in Figure 1 displays the distribution of research awards among the various funding sources for FY12. Although the allocations represent a reasonably balanced award portfolio among funding agencies, it is a distribution that is evolving with time.

The large Department of Energy (DOE) contribution represents the tail end of funding related to National Science Foundation’s (NSF) aborted Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) now under the DOE. The significant Department of Defense (DoD) award level is related to the final phase of funding resulting in special earmarks from congressional appropriations. In order to understand the dynamics of future research awards, one must look at the historical awards.

Figure 2 shows the increasing trend in awards from 2004 through 2010 and the decrease for both 2011 and 2012. The high point of awards ($35.3 million) in 2010 resulted from over $25 million from NSF, a large portion of which resulted from the DUSEL project before it was discontinued as an NSF activity, and significant funding from DOE as that agency picked up DUSEL-related activities. In addition, funding from the DoD, primarily related to the final year of earmark funding, was more than $2 million.

The Figure 3 FY07 and Figure 4 FY10 charts illustrate the dominance of DoD funding and NSF funding in their peak years. In 2007, the peak year of earmark funding from the Department of Defense, more than $10 million in targeted awards were made by the DoD. Notice the relatively small size of the awards from both NSF and DOE. By 2010, funding for the DUSEL project had grown significantly and the NSF and DOE awards were nearly $28 million.

Today, the DOE-led activity that replaced the DUSEL project has not yet been defined clearly. The strategy the DOE uses to implement its plan, to develop and manage the Sanford Research Facility, will likely be centered on its national laboratories not on universities.

In addition, there is currently a moratorium on earmarks and that is not likely to change in the near

54

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

term. As the environment changes, the strategy for stabilizing and increasing research funding must change as well.

SDSM&T is adapting by making investments in new faculty capable of making solid research contributions in our areas of strength; by investing in facilities that enable and support interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research projects; by increasing our competitiveness through the quality improvement of our research proposals; and by increasing our focus on attracting industrial partners and support. These investments will pay off, but it will take time for the investments to translate into increased research funding.

Figure 1 Research Awards FY12

$2,615,213 $4,072,987 $2,327,684

$2,496,926

$1,112,673 $1,502,661

Research Notes

Figure 2 Awards and Expenditures (in Millions)

$ 40 $ 35 $ 30 $ 25 $ 20 $ 15 $ 10 $5

0

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Awards Expenditures

Figure 3 Research Awards FY07 NSF $1,892,125

Other

DoD

$3,113,099

$10,091,012

$1,404,703

NASA

$619,000

DOE

$28,796

Figure 4 Research Awards FY10 State

$1,224,289

Other

$2,907,077

$1,342,116

DOE

$2,410,712

NSF

$25,348,560

DoD

$2,100,357

2012

LAURIE ANDERSON, PhD, department head and professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering; director, Museum of Geology, received $25,000 from the Army Corp of Engineers for the project, “Survey and Salvage of Fossil Resources on US Army Corps of Engineers Holdings along the Missouri River, 2012.”

XINHUA BAI, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Physics, received $73,760 from the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory for the project, “Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment Cleanliness Work at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.”

State

NASA

2011

DIMITRIOS ANAGNOSTOU, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received $133,827 from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for the project, “Basic Research on Autonomous and MultiReconfigurable Antenna Arrays.” He also received $149,913 in additional funding for this project.

JENNIFER BENNING, PhD, assistant professor; SCOTT KENNER, PhD, professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and FOSTER SAWYER, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, received $69,000 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the project, “Education for the protection of water resources on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota.”

WILLIAM CAPEHART, PhD, associate professor; and MARK HJELMFELT, PhD, research scientist IV, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, received $25,000 from the Armament Research Development and Engineering Center for the project, “Advanced Atmospheric Sciences Technology and Applications to Support NAMK Project.”

2012 Research Report

55

CABOT-ANN CHRISTOFFERSON, instructor, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Science, received $121,642 from the Oak Ridge National Lab–UT Battelle for the project, “SDSM&T Electroforming for the MAJORANA Demonstrator.”

WILLIAM CROSS, PhD, associate professor; JON KELLAR, PhD, professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering; and EDWARD DUKE, PhD, director, Engineering and Mining Experiment Station; director, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and South Dakota NASA EPSCoR Program; professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, received $613,720 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “MRI: Acquisition of High-Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy System.”

WILLIAM CROSS, PhD, associate professor; and GRANT CRAWFORD, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, received $135,834 from the Office of Naval Research for the project, “Novel Separation Technologies for Recovering Manganese from Process Streams.”

ANDREW DETWILER, PhD, department head and professor; and DONNA KLICHE, PhD, associate professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, received $255,533 from the Naval Postgraduate School–Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center San Diego for the project, “Collaborative Effort on the Next Generation Storm Penetration Aircraft.”

EDWARD DUKE, PhD, director, Engineering and Mining Experiment Station; director, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and South Dakota NASA EPSCoR Program; professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, received $44,129 from NASA for the project, “South Dakota Space Grant Consortium.” In addition, he received $430,000 from NASA for the project, “National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) 2010–2014”; $185,000 from NASA for the project, “FY2011 Space Grant Augmentation”; and $50,000 from NASA for

56

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

the project, “South Dakota NASA EPSCOR Research Infrastructure Development Program.”

EDWARD DUKE, PhD, director, Engineering and Mining Experiment Station; director, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and South Dakota NASA EPSCoR Program; professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering; DAVID SALEM, PhD, director, Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory; professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering; and ROBB WINTER, PhD, site director, Center for Bioenergy Research and Development; department head and professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, received $750,000 from NASA for the project, “CAN/ Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) 2011.”

EDWARD DUKE, PhD, director, Engineering and Mining Experiment Station; director, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and South Dakota NASA EPSCoR Program; professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering; DAVID SALEM, PhD, director, Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory; professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering; WILLIAM CROSS, PhD, associate professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering; and MARC ROBINSON, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received $642,300 from NASA for the project, “Structural Thermal Insulation Composites.”

EDWARD DUKE, PhD, director, Engineering and Mining Experiment Station; director, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and South Dakota NASA EPSCoR Program; professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering; and KAZEM SOHRABY, PhD, department head and professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received $249,497 from NASA for the

project, “A Proposal for Optimal Power and Relay Selection in Wireless Relay Networks.”

HAO FONG, PhD, associate professor; and LIFENG ZHANG, PhD, research scientist III, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences, received $47,000 from the National Science Foundation through a subaward from Agiltron, Inc. for the project, “High Performance Supercapacitors Based on Nano-engineered Electrodes.”

MICHAEL FOYGEL, PhD, professor; and ANDRE PETUKHOV, PhD, department head and professor, Department of Physics, received $80,000 from NASA for the project, “Heat Transfer Phenomena at the Liquid-Solid Interface in Cryogenic Fuel Storage Tanks and Material Optimization Problem.”

JOHN HELSDON, PhD, research scientist IV, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, received $586,486 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “High-Speed Video and Electrical Study of Upward Lightning Triggered by Towers.”

TIMOTHY HENDERSON, vice president, Finance and Administration, received $188,080 in subaward funding from the South Dakota Bureau of Administration for the project, “Governor’s Office of Economic Development American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Energy Grant Agreement.”

for the project, “2010 Center for Ultra-low Background Experiments.” Dr. Howard received $56,917 in additional funding through a subaward from Radiance Technologies for the project,“ Advanced Electronic Rosebud Integration (AERI) Research and Development Program–Yr3.”

DUANE HRNCIR, PhD, acting president, Office of the President; FOSTER SAWYER, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering; M.R. HANSEN, PhD, professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and CARTER KERK, PhD, professor, Department of Industrial Engineering, received $165,000 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “Collaborative Research: OLC/SDSU/ SDSM&T Pre-Engineering Education Collaborative.”

JON KELLAR, PhD, professor; and WILLIAM CROSS, PhD, associate professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, received $128,700 in subaward funding from the University of South Dakota for the project, “IGERT: Nanostructured Solar Cells: Materials, Processes and Devices.” Dr. Kellar also received $200,000 from the South Dakota Tourism and State Development through a subaward from South Dakota State University for the project, “Beyond the 2010 Initiative: Partnerships for Competitiveness (Jurisdictional Funds).”

HAIPING HONG, PhD, research scientist IV; and STANLEY HOWARD, PhD, professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, received $137,491 from the Department of Energy through a subaward from the University of South Dakota for the project, “Crystal Growth and Detector Development at Homestake for DUSEL Experiments.”

JON KELLAR, PhD, professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering; and KEITH WHITES, PhD, professor, Steven P. Miller Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received $330,662 from the National Science Foundation through a subaward from South Dakota State University for the project, “Beyond the 2010 Initiative: Partnerships for Competitiveness.”

STANLEY HOWARD, PhD, professor; HAIPING HONG, PhD, research scientist IV, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering; and ANDRE PETUKHOV, PhD, department head and professor, Department of Physics, received $148,191 from the South Dakota Board of Regents through a subaward from the University of South Dakota

SCOTT KENNER, PhD, professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received $35,406 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency-South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Pennington County through a subaward from RESPEC Consulting

2012 Research Report

57

& Services for the project, “Spring Creek Watershed Management and Project Implementation Plan Segment 1.” He also received $97,000 from the United States Department of Interior-United States Geological Survey-Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit for the project, “USGS National Water Quality Assessment Project in South Dakota.”

CHARLES KLICHE, PhD, professor, Department of Mining Engineering and Management, received $59,313 from the United States Department of Labor–Mine Safety and Health Administration for the project, “Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) State Grant 2011.”

DONNA KLICHE, PhD, associate professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences; and KATHRYN ALLEY, PhD, associate provost for assessment and accountability, received $99,289 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “Collaborative Proposal: Embracing Science– From the Field to the Fair.”

MICHAEL LANGERMAN, PhD, co-director, Experimental and Computational Mechanics Laboratory; department head and professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, received $142,600 from Armament Research Development and Engineering Center through a subaward from Western Illinois University for the project, “Near Net Shape Manufacturing for Current and Future Generation Armament Systems.”

ANTONETTE LOGAR, PhD, professor, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, received $50,233 from the National Science Foundation through a subaward from Idaho State University for the project, “SNAPP: Strengthening Native American Access to the Professoriate.”

PATRICIA MAHON, PhD, vice president, Student Affairs and Dean of Students, received $5,000 from the United States Department of Health-South Dakota Department of Health through a subaward from Black Hills Special Services Cooperative for the project, “Tobacco Prevention.” Dr. Mahon also

58

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

received $45,000 from the United States Department of Transportation-National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through a subaward from South Dakota Department of Public Safety for the project, “Driving Safety Prevention Program.”

TODD MENKHAUS, PhD, associate professor, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences, received $50,000 from the Center for Bioenergy Research and Development for the project, “University Cooperative Research Center Memberships/Rational Design of Advanced Membrane Materials for Biorefineries.”

SOONKIE NAM, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received $43,359 from the United States Department of Transportation–South Dakota Department of Transportation through a subaward from South Dakota State University for the project, “South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program (SDLTAP).”

In addition, he received $35,000 from the United States Department of Transportation-Federal Highway Administration through a subaward from South Dakota Department of Transportation for the project, “Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design: Materials Testing of Resilient and Dynamic Modulus.”

ANDRE PETUKHOV, PhD, department head and professor, Department of Physics, received $62,000 in additional funding from NASA for the project, “Studies of the Stark Effect in Lithium Doped Silicon.” Dr. Petukhov also received $39,885 from the Research Foundation of State University of New York for the project, “Tailoring Spin and Magnetism in Quantum.”

JAN PUSZYNSKI, PhD, professor; HAO FONG, PhD, associate professor, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences; and PHIL AHRENKIEL, PhD, associate professor, Nanoscience and Nanoengineering Program, received $354,264 from the Department of Energy through a subaward from University of South Dakota for the project,“ USD Catalysis Group for Alternative Energy Year 3.”

WILLIAM ROGGENTHEN, PhD, research scientist IV, Research Affairs, received $3,043,165 from the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory through a subaward from University of California Berkeley for the project, “Cost Study of Alternate Large Cavity Designs by DUSEL Consultant, Golder Associates, April 2010.”

DAVID SALEM, PhD, director, Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory; professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, received $30,913 from SGL Technologies GmbH, for the project, “Unique Prepreg Form Development.”

FOSTER SAWYER, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, received $35,000 from the Department of Energy through a subaward from American Indian Science & Engineering Society for the project, “Multiphase Fluid Flow Simulation Assisted Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation.”

RAJESH SHENDE, PhD, assistant professor; and JAN PUSZYNSKI, PhD, professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, received $299,975 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “Thermally Stable Complex Redox Materials for Hydrogen Generation in Thermochemical Water-Splitting Process.”

LARRY STETLER, PhD, professor, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, received $42,007 in additional funding from the United States Department of Interior–National Park Service– Badlands National Park-Great Plains C Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit for the project, “Determine Erosion Rates at Select Fossil Sites to Develop a Paleontological Monitoring Program.”

JAMES STONE, PhD, associate professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received $29,400 from the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council through a subaward from South

Dakota State University for the project, “Swine Facility Life Cycle Assessment Model Development.”

P.V. SUNDARESHWAR, PhD, associate professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, received $35,000 from the United States Department of Agriculture–National Resources Conservation Service-Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units for the project, “Collection and Analyses of Soil Samples from Prairie Pothole Wetlands in the Prairie.”

CHARLES TOLLE, PhD, associate professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and JEFFREY MCGOUGH, PhD, associate professor, Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, received $60,000 from the Department of Energy through a subaward from Idaho National Laboratory for the project, “SDSM&T SYS–ID Research.” In addition, he received $51,114 from the Office of Naval Research for the project, “Automated Nonlinear Differential Equation Based System Identification.”

MICHAEL WEST, PhD, director, Center for Friction Stir Processing; department head and professor; and WILLIAM CROSS, PhD, associate professor, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, received $110,000 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “REU Site: Back to the Future II.” Dr. West also received $35,000 from the Industry/University Cooperative Research Center– Center for Friction Stir Processing for the project, “CFSP 07 AMP 04 Distortion in Stiffened Panels.” In addition, he received $35,000 from the Industry/ University Cooperative Research Center–Center for Friction Stir Processing for the project, “CFSP 08 AMP 01 Distortion in Stiffened Panels.”

RONALD WHITE, PhD, vice president for research, Research Affairs, received $200,000 from the South Dakota Board of Regents for the project, “The Performance Improvement Fund.”

KEITH WHITES, PhD, professor, Steven P. Miller Chair; and ANTHONY AMERT, research scientist III, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received $100,000 from the Berrie Hill Research

2012 Research Report

59

Corporation for the project, “Characterization of Physically Large Samples Using a Computationally Driven Free Space System.”

CHRISTIAN WIDENER, PhD, director, Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory; director, Repair, Refurbish and Return to Service Center; associate professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, received $593,195 from the South Dakota Board of Regents for the project, “Repair, Refurbish, and Return to Service–Applied Research Center.” In addition, he received $1,600,000 from the Office of Naval Research through a subaward from ACI Technologies, Inc. for the project, “Life Extension of Navy Weapon Systems through Advanced Materials Processing Using Benchmarking and Best Practices.”

SCOTT WILEY, counselor and director, Office of Multicultural Affairs, received $36,000 from the United States Department of Education–South Dakota Department of Education through a subaward from Mid Central Education Cooperative for the project, “South Dakota School of Mines & Technology SD College Access Challenge Grant Project (CACGP).”

ROBB WINTER, PhD, site director, Center for Bioenergy Research and Development; department head and professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; DUANE ABATA, PhD, executive director, Center for Bioenergy Research and Development; professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering; and KENNETH BENJAMIN, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, received $147,826 in additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the project, “I/UCRC Center for Bioenergy Research and Development.” Dr. Winter also received $50,000 from the Center for Bioenergy Research and Development for the project, “University Cooperative Research Center Memberships,” and for the project, “Investigation of Lignocellulose Derived Lignin Coproduct as a Matrix and/or Reinforcement for Biocomposites.”

60

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Campus Profile Nestled in the beautiful Black Hills region of South Dakota and built upon a 128-year legacy of excellence in education and research, the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is forging an ambitious path of growth to meet more sophisticated, and ever increasing societal demand for exceptional leaders in science and engineering.

Today, over 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students enjoy a highly affordable educational experience among 16 academic departments offering 16 bachelor of science programs, 14 master’s degree programs, 7 doctoral programs, and 17 minors and certificates. A 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, where students are known and closely mentored by their professors, results in over 90 percent of them leaving with valuable internship, co-op, or undergraduate research experience, a 97 percent placement rate, and average starting salaries of $62,969.

To achieve the vision of becoming a world-class university, the Mines 2020: Strategic Vision and Plan drives 5 priorities which call for: increasing enrollment to 3,500; sustaining placement rates of 96 percent or higher; increasing annual research awards to $50 million; expanding the research enterprise and building a new research facility; and recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff. Over $20 million in annual support for university operations, endowments and scholarships, and $100 million to support the Campus Master Plan must be secured through partnerships to accommodate anticipated growth. Lastly, the university prides itself on excellence and will continue to work to realize national acclaim for quality of education and research.

Produced by the Office of University Relations for the Office of Research Affairs