Iowa State to receive $6.5 million grant from U.S. Air Force research laboratory
June 2, 2004
Iowa State landed a $6.5 million contract last week with the U.S. Air Force for new research in nondestructive evaluation for aircraft.
The award came from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The research will be carried out at the ISU Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, which regularly studies processes of degradation and ways to faster detect age-related flaws. The center’s research has expanded to testing of bridges and highways and types of machinery.
R. Bruce Thompson, professor of aerospace engineering and materials science engineering and director of the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, has been studying nondestructive evaluation for more than 30 years. Thompson said this research contract will allow further study of the processes involved in the degradation of aircraft and the evaluation procedures used to test aircraft safety.
The upcoming research for the center includes measuring the stress in aircraft engine components in order to extend the use of parts, he said. Computer simulation will be used to detect possible failure, a form of testing that saves time and, he said, may be more accurate than manual testing.
“The quality of Iowa State’s previous work in this area of vital importance to our national and homeland security no doubt influenced the awarding of this important project by the Air Force,” Thompson said. “All Iowans should be proud of the effective and important work being done through the university.”
Many collaborations between the center and the U.S. Air Force have taken place in the past, as well.
Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, has helped Iowa State secure multiple contracts with the Air Force. In the past two years, Latham obtained $6.1 million in funding for Iowa State for similar aircraft aging studies.
“The Iowa Congressional Delegation has been very cooperative with Iowa State,” Thompson said.
“The extensive research would not be possible without the support of the Iowa Congressional delegation and about 20 other companies that support research at Iowa State.”
