Two South Dakota faculty research groups have been awarded $750,000 each in major research grants from the NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). South Dakota was one of seven states to have two proposals awarded for funding. NASA has awarded approximately $19 million to colleges and universities nationwide to conduct research and technology development in areas of importance to NASA's mission. In addition, the awards enable faculty development and higher education student support.
One of the awarded projects entitled, “Development of an Advanced Photovoltaic Materials Research Cluster in South Dakota,” is led by South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSMT) professor Steve Smith. The group will focus on developing materials and device concepts for next generation solar cells, which have high potential in the future solar electric generation. The project also consists of SDSMT professors Phil Ahrenkiel, Zhengtao Zhu, and SDSU professors Qiquan Qiao, David Galipeau, and Xingzhong Yan.
Asked how the project will contribute to South Dakota's future Smith replied, "Several of the participants in the project have ties to industry who were strong supporters of the proposed work, so we believe that some of the technology developed in the course of the project may find its way into commercial use. The solar cell industry has, in spite of the recent recession experienced significant growth, so that's growth potential for South Dakota as well."
SDSMT professor, Haiping Hong, heads the project entitled “Improved Thermal Management Systems using Advanced Materials and Fluids.” The proposed project is to develop a thermal management system concept and methodology to enhance thermal conductivity significantly for coolant applications. The project also includes SDSMT professors Jan Puszynski and Wayne Krause alongside South Dakota State University (SDSU) professor Xingzhong Yan.
“The fluids can be used in the NASA (air) flight cooling systems, automotive engine cooling systems, and any other current cooling systems based on water and ethylene glycol,” commented Hong.
NASA EPSCoR is designed to assist states in establishing an academic research enterprise directed toward a long-term, self-sustaining and competitive capability that will contribute to its economic viability and development. The program helps develop partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions and industry. The selected proposals support all four of NASA's mission directorates: aeronautics, exploration systems, science and space operations.
A total of 27 proposals were selected from organizations in Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia
Useful Links:
NSF Website
SD NASA EPSCoR Website
NASA Website
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