Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering: Research Interests

Vision:

The vision of the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) is to accelerate the research and sponsored program enterprise while adhering to university policies and federal regulations.

Mission:

The mission of the ORSP is to provide the following services:

• proposal development assistance and training;
• review and provide institiutional endorsement of all applications for external sponsored funding;
• review, negotiate, and accept awards on behalf of the University;
• compliance and post-award monitoring and oversight;
• maintenance of sponsored project data for the University;
• coordination of institutional review boards for research with human and animal subjects and for biosafety;
• management of the University's intellectual property; and
• promotion of entrepreneurial and commercialization activities.

Please note: The vision & mission statements are from ORSP website.

Aerospace and Defense

Advanced Propulsion

Non-toxic propellant-based systems for exploration missions offer several operational and performance advantages such as superior ground handling, reduced corrosion and leakage, materials compatibility, lower mass, low cost, and system complexity. Thus, they continue to be the preferred choice for exploration missions. Our propulsion research program aligns with NASA's interest in advanced cryogenic engine development by performing fundamental research on ignition, high-heat-transfer thrust chambers and injector dynamics and developing enabling technologies for LO_X/Hydrocarbon engines. The in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) team efforts are focused on developing engineering solutions to exploit space resources for the production of propellant and other valuable materials. The current topics are production of structural materials and extraction of water and other volatiles from lunar and Martian regolith.

Information as provided by the Department of Mechanical Engineering

The Aerospace Center has expanded beyond its initial research focus when it was founded in 2009 as the Center for Space Exploration Technology Research. In partnership with NASA, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and many industry partners, this premiere, minority-serving research center explores new technologies and challenges in space, aeronautics, defense, and energy using digital tools and skills that are transforming the way we design, build and test. The Aerospace Center has grown from a 3,000 square foot lab employing 30 students as research assistants to over 35,000 square feet in laboratory space and 8,000 acres of test facilities employing 200 students today and still growing. The Aerospace Center’s mission is to educate and prepare a diverse, future-ready workforce for high-paying, in-demand careers through project-based learning in applied, cutting-edge research in aerospace, defense, and energy.

Website

WM Keck Center for 3D Innovation

The W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation is a unique multidisciplinary research facility focused on the use and development of Additive Manufacturing technologies with primary focus areas in functional manufacturing and biomedical engineering.

Website

Information as provided by CSETR