Center-Based Research Activities

 

Research in the COE has seen growth in key areas of nanotechnology, wind power, bioengineering, and materials. This is in addition to the internationally and nationally recognized research in pulsed power, semiconductors, wind science and engineering, and water quality. In the 2005/2006 academic year, the college annual research award totaled almost $13 million in sponsored research. We have ten faculty who are university Horn professors. Interdisciplinary activities and synergies have played a large role in building strong partnerships with the other colleges on campus and with the Health Sciences Center. Fostering these partnerships is a high priority to continue our mission of working on research that is of national significance with regional impact and educating our students to be substantial contributors on a national scale.

Pulsed Power and Power Electronics

Pulsed Power Research has been an area of excellence at TTU since the early 1970s. The initial focus was on high beta controlled thermonuclear fusion. The early pulsed power group investigated harmonic ion cyclotron resonances in small mirror machines, laser heating of magnetized plasmas, and pellet injection in hot dense plasmas. In 1977 a small Tokamak was constructed and used for various wave propagation studies in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies. In the last few years the emphasis has been on theoretical wave propagation and turbulence studies along with applications of plasma technology to pulsed power devices, plasma synthesis of thin films, high power microwave generation, and electric space propulsion engines.

Wind Science and Engineering

The Wind Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Center at Texas Tech University was established in 1970, following a tornado in Lubbock that caused 26 fatalities and over $100 million in damage.

The center offers an interdisciplinary education in wind science and engineering to develop professionals who are experts in design for windstorms and wind-induced effects. The center develops information on windstorm disaster mitigation and other wind-related subjects that can be made available to professionals and the public.

Water Resources and Conservation

The Water Resources Center (WRC) was established by the Texas Tech University Board of Regents in 1965. Since its inception, the WRC has encouraged, conducted, and coordinated water resources research and related activities. To accomplish this purpose, WRC has adopted a multiphase approach, encompassing research, education, and public service.

Three objectives have been identified: 1) Augmentation - increasing the supply of available water; 2) Conservation - reducing demands by increasing the efficiency of water use; 3) Protection - preventing the pollution of existing supplies.

Nanoscale and Microscale Devices and Materials

The scope of research in micro and nanotechnology is growing at an astounding rate and is leading to new paradigms in computer, materials, biological, medical, and chemical technologies. Texas Tech is committed to carrying out state-of-the-art research in many different micro and nanotechnology areas. These areas including fundamental science and growth of advanced semiconductor materials and the design, fabrication, and testing of wafer-based, compact microanalysis systems. In the Fall of 1999, the Nano Tech Center was formed to capitalize on the growing interest in microsensors and microanalysis systems. Collaborative research projects are ongoing and include researchers from Electrical, Computer, Chemical, and Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Medicine.

Multidisciplinary Research in Transportation (TechMRT)

TechMRT was established in 1997 to serve as the focal point between the university and various transportation funding organizations and programs. The research portfolio includes: research program that cover a broad range of topics that include: pavement and bridge engineering, geotechnical systems, roadway planning, environmental issues, hydraulics, construction and vehicle engineering.