Ryu to utilize NSF funding to enhance workforce development, preparedness

JuHyeong Ryu adjusts wearable sensors in the ergonomics lab. Ryu's research is now being applied through a NSF fellowship to improve workforce and safety preparedness (WVU Photo/Kaley LaQuea).

As industrial systems and their technologies advance, the necessary workforce development to keep U.S. manufacturing ahead of the curve remains a pressing issue. JuHyeong Ryu, assistant professor in the Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Department at West Virginia University is pioneering new ways to implement wearable technologies to address these skills gaps.

Story by Kaley LaQuea, Communications Specialist
Photos by Kaley LaQuea

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

The National Science Foundation has awarded $259,969 in funding for Ryu’s project titled “Enhancing Workforce Development through Advanced Integration of Mixed Reality and Digital Twins.” The initiative, led by Ryu, is a collaboration with the University of South Carolina that begins in February and is scheduled through January 2027. Ryu also received a seed grant from NSF’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research fellowship to launch the project in 2023.

“I’m honored to receive this fellowship and really excited to expand this research,” Ryu says of the opportunity to continue the research with this year’s latest round of NSF funding. “It’s a good success story — a testament to the importance of addressing critical challenges in workforce development and safety within the rapidly evolving landscape of industry."

The project aims to revolutionize workforce training methodologies in smart manufacturing by leveraging mixed reality and digital twin technologies — virtual representations of physical systems that utilize real-time data to simulate operational behavior. Ryu’s research is focused on technology like wearable sensors to aid workers and machine operators in motion safety training.

Ryu says that while traditional workforce training methods like video lectures and presentations have been essential in skill development, they have limitations when it comes to preparing workers for the complexities of modern industrial environments.

“This project is especially relevant in today’s context as industries grapple with labor shortages, skill gaps, and workplace safety concerns,” Ryu said. “By equipping workers with immersive, data-driven training tools, we can foster a more skilled and safety-conscious workforce, ready to thrive in the digital age. My research is addressing this gap by leveraging mixed reality, digital twin, and motion capture systems to enhance worker preparedness and facilitate a seamless transition into next-generation manufacturing.”

The project timeline includes prototype development and software testing over the next few years. Ryu says that embracing human-machine interactions and ensuring better safety practices through the application of these technologies ensures a safer, more efficient and competitive industrial workforce.

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