Texas Tech University Department of Wind Science and Engineering
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NWI - General Information

The National Wind Institute (NWI) at Texas Tech University was established in 1970, following a tornado in Lubbock that caused 26 fatalities and more than $100 million in damage. 

The NWI is focused on research, education and information outreach.

The comprehensive and interdisciplinary research program aspires to exploit the useful qualities of wind and to mitigate its detrimental effects.

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.

The NWI currently has approximately 48 faculty associates from 17 academic departments, five research associates, 10 professional staff, and 17 Ph.D. students who are enrolled in the program, two of whom successfully completed their WiSE-related Ph.D. degree programs in 2012. There are also numerous other graduate students supported in other programs.

In August 2011, WiSE (in collaboration with TTU's University College) introduced the Bachelor of Science degree in Wind Energy.

There were 47 individual funded projects for wind-related research in 2012, totaling more than $13.9 million.