The department has successful and growing externally-funded research activities in three focus areas:  Alternative/Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technologies, Materials Design and Testing, and Mechanics of Multi-Body Dynamic Systems.  Following are synopses of the current efforts in each category.

Alternative/Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

(1) Bio-Fuels/Bio-Mass Energy Conversion: Several interdisciplinary projects are underway in the development of processes to convert bio-mass to ethanol, bio-diesel, and other fuels. Some of the work supports the SD 2010 Center for Bio-Processing Research and Development.  Other projects are supported by the regional Sun Grant Initiative (the North Central Center of the Sun Grant program is located at SDSU).  External funding sources include the U.S. DOE, U.S. DOT, the State of South Dakota, and industrial partners, among others.

Faculty Contact:  Mr. Twedt;  Others participating: Dr. Moutsoglou, Dr. Bassett

(2) Energy Analysis and Energy Efficiency:  An Energy Analysis Lab dedicated to optimizing the use of energy in systems and processes is housed in the department.  The lab provides advice and assistance in energy conservation and cost reduction as well as application of new energy-efficient technologies.  Projects to develop and promote the adoption of a state building energy code have been funded.  External funding sources include the U.S. DOE and industrial partners.

Faculty Contact:  Mr. Twedt

(3) Geothermal Heating and Cooling:  The department is home to nationally-recognized expertise in the design and application of ground-coupled heat exchangers for geothermal heating and cooling systems.

Faculty Contact:  Dr. Remund

Materials Design and Testing

(1) Fatigue Prediction/Testing, Nondestructive Testing: An interdisciplinary team of researchers is currently working on a U.S. DOD–funded grant to develop a fatigue odometer system for vehicle components and ordnance barrels.  The project includes a fully-instrumented lab for non-destructive testing to support research in predicting and preventing fatigue failure.  State of the art equipment in fatigue and material property testing has been acquired.  Several industry partners, as well as the U.S. Army’s Benet Weapons Lab, are involved.

Faculty Contact:  Dr. Delfanian;   Others participating:  Dr. Hu, Dr. Duan

(2) Nanotechnology and Nanoscale Modeling and Simulation:  A multi-disciplinary project involving the molecular modeling of organic materials for spectral upconversion in photovoltaic devices is in progress.  This project is in support of the SD 2010 Center for Accelerated Applications at the Nanoscale.  External funding has been provided by the NSF EPSCoR program.  

Faculty Contact:  Dr. Hu

(3) Computer Simulation for Design and Optimization of Advanced Materials:  This is an expanding area of expertise in the department.  Current efforts involving polymers and composites design and processing have been supported by industry partners, particularly in the plastics industry.

Faculty Contact:  Dr. Hu

Mechanics of Multi-Body Dynamic Systems

(1) Mechanics of Multi-Body Dynamic Systems: Research to improving the computational efficiency of the simulation of the mechanics of multi-body dynamic systems is under way. Several entities, including the State of South Dakota, have provided funding to support this growing area of expertise in the department.  Related work in virtual prototyping and the integration of CAD, CAE, CAA and CAM, from concept design through manufacturing is also being conducted.

Faculty Contact:  Dr. Duan