A revolutionary 3D printing process for use in future space missions is in development by West Virginia University engineers to provide dexterous assistance to astronauts and for various space station servicing activities.
Despite longwall mining being an efficient way of extracting coal, it produces dangerous methane gas that has the potential to lead to explosions in underground mines. Researchers from West Virginia University are combatting this issue by developing an improved methane monitoring network to increase the safety of longwall mines.
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.
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.
With the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas production sites, engineers at West Virginia University are developing new technology that will not only harness the gas, but improve gas consumption.
Three students pursuing doctoral degrees atWest Virginia Universityare receiving funding through the Ruby Scholars Graduate Fellows Program. Jared Beard, Evan Cramer and Kinsey Reed are this year’s Ruby Fellows.
In a letter from Vice President of WVU Talent and Culture, Cris DeBord addresses employee expectations for the Return to Campus in the fall.