Though it makes up roughly 70 percent of the universe, dark energy is one of the greatest cosmological discoveries that is the least understood among scientists. A new project led by West Virginia University researcher Kevin Bandura will help scientists understand the nature of dark energy by mapping out the distribution of matter throughout the universe.
A three-year collaborative project to develop a new low-cost process to convert natural gas that is commonly flared at industrial sites could benefit a number of industrial sectors including the carbon fiber industry, carbon composite, electronics, electrical arc steel making, polymer additives and many others, all while having a positive effect on the economy and environment.
Kristyn Johnson, a graduate student in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, took first place in the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)Ignite Off Competition for her research on reducing fuel consumption and emissions in gas turbine power plants.
ThreeWest Virginia Universityalumni will teach English abroad next year after being awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, allowing them to develop cross-cultural competency, as well as skills to further their career goals.
While personal vehicles that use electricity, propane or natural gas have gained popularity thanks to availability and affordability, heavy-duty vehicles like 18-wheelers and buses have been slow to change gears because of maintenance costs. But those vehicles, while only 5 percent of the traffic on the road, are responsible for 20 percent of transportation emissions.