2006 - 2007
In This Issue C-Lock Technology page 2 2010 Center page 4 Invention Goes Global page 6 Small Science Big Business page 10 DUSEL Announcement page 12 Researchers Unearth the Past page 14 ...and much more!
Welcome
Welcome Welcome to the inaugural issue of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Research Report. This annual publication details some of the scientific innovations and breakthroughs that the School of Mines is generating today. We hope you will find it as exciting as we do.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
As many of you know, external funding for research and development is not found in an infinite supply, making any increase a benchmark of success. In FY00, the School of Mines received approximately $6 million in research funding. By FY07, this funding grew to more than $17.1 million, a nearly three-fold increase. This provides an unassailable testament to the excellence of our research and development programs. Our funding is growing not only in dollars, but also in scope. From developing new materials to ensure a soldier’s safety in the field to researching new technologies for processing plant-derived materials into ethanol, the projects undertaken at the School of Mines are impacting life in our community, our state, our nation, and our world. A key factor in the success and strength of the School of Mines research program is a university climate that nurtures and supports cross-disciplinary work. Our small size and common goals create a campus environment where collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and resources are not just frequent, but the norm. With the continuing support of our research sponsors and corporate partners, our mission is to continue to build and sustain a research program worthy of our position as a premier engineering and science university. Thank you to all who helped to make our success possible.
Dr. Gautam Pillay Vice President for Research
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
President Dr. Charles P. Ruch
C-Lock Technology
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Assistant to the President Carol A. Jensen
2010 Center
4
Academic Affairs Dr. Karen L. Whitehead Provost and Vice President
Invention Goes Global
6
Research Funding
8
Small Science Big Business
10
DUSEL Announcement
12
Researchers Unearth the Past
14
Campus Briefs
16
Research Notes
19
PRODUCTION STAFF Executive Editors Dr. Gautam Pillay Julie A. Smoragiewicz Editor Mitchell S. Vander Vorst
Features
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP
Features
Associate Vice President Dr. Kathyrn E. Alley College of Engineering Dr. Duane L. Abata, Dean College of Science and Letters Dr. Duane C. Hrncir, Dean Graduate Education Dr. John H. Helsdon, Dean Business and Administration Timothy G. Henderson, Vice President Research and Development Dr. Gautam Pillay, Vice President Student Affairs Dr. Patricia G. Mahon, Vice President and Dean of Students University and Public Relations Julie A. Smoragiewicz, Vice President SDSM&T Foundation L.R. “Rod” Pappel, President SDSM&T Alumni Association Tim Vottero, Director
Writer Breanna V. Bishop Graphic Design and Layout Melinda A. Poyourow
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, military status, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, political preference or disability in employment or the provision of service.
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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C-Lock Technology 2
School of Mines and Partners Announce Launch of C-Lock Technology Inc. A high-ranking group of state, academic, and industry leaders gathered on Wednesday, May 9 to announce the official launch of C-Lock Technology Inc., a whollyowned subsidiary of Evergreen Energy Inc., at the Black Hills Business Development Center, located on the campus of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. In concert with Evergreen Energy, C-Lock Technology will market an Internetbased, patented technology developed at the School of Mines that accurately quantifies greenhouse gas emissions credits, also know as carbon emissions reduction credits. Dr. Patrick Zimmerman, former director of the university’s Institute of Atmospheric Science (IAS) and inventor of the technology, will serve as director of technology for C-Lock Technology. “This is a public-private initiative with a positive impact at the local, state, national, and international levels,” said Zimmerman, who owns C-Lock Inc., which has licensed its process on a worldwide
basis to C-Lock Technology. “It will generate local jobs, income for regional farmers and ranchers, educational opportunities, and commercial opportunities using an environmental technology that addresses an immediate need.” C-Lock got its start as a state-funded initiative of former South Dakota Governor William Janklow through a grant to IAS. The research resulted in a patent application filed by Zimmerman. The scientists involved then supplemented the initial funding with grant money from the United States Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy to develop a system for the measurement and quantification of greenhouse gas emission reductions created as a result of management practices to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and also practices that result in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Zimmerman and his team then negotiated with the university to obtain an exclusive license for this
technology. Subsequently, Zimmerman made agreements with Evergreen Energy, a Denver firm that has developed a process for refining coal so that it burns much cleaner. This product, K-Fuel, not only burns much cleaner, substantially reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide, mercury, and oxides of nitrogen, but it also substantially reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming. C-Lock Technologies was formed to combine the technology of Evergreen Energy with the technology of C-Lock Inc. The result is the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now through the use of Kfuel and through partnerships with agricultural producers who have the ability to grow crops and graze pastures in a way that actually removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it as very stable organic compounds in the soil. This process of increasing soil organic matter not only cleans the
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
C-Lock Technology
South Dakota Governor Michael Rounds addresses the audience at the launch of C-Lock Technology, Inc.
atmosphere but it also improves soil fertility, drought resistance, and decreases erodibility. The combination of agricultural carbon sequestration plus the utilization of cleaner coal buys time for the development and construction of economically viable, longer-term global warming solutions. C-Lock Technology Inc. is housed in the Black Hills Business Development Center on the campus of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and has access to the campus’
intellectual and technological resources while operating an applied science laboratory to develop cleaner coal solutions. The laboratory supports the operations of Evergreen Energy’s coal refinery in nearby Gillette, Wyoming, while linked closely with the university’s Institute of Atmospheric Sciences research and graduate programs.
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2010 Center Announced 4
2010 Center Announced Following an announcement from the South Dakota Governor’s Office, the Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development (CBRD) has been created on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology campus, in conjunction with South Dakota State University (SDSU). The center, which was created with $500,000 in first-year funding from the state, joins four other highly-specialized research centers already in operation, one of which is also located at the School of Mines — the Center for Accelerated Applications at the Nanoscale (CAAN). The center is staffed by leading engineering and science collaborators from the fields of agricultural engineering, biochemical engineering, biochemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and microbiology. A primary focus of the state support will be to augment current expertise by hiring new research faculty and support staff. The new bioprocessing research center is headquartered on the
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
2010 Center Announced
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The center gives students not only hands-on experience, but the chance to interact with other researchers through the virtual center.
Dr. Sookie Bang CBRD interim director and School of Mines microbiology professor School of Mines campus, but research activities will be jointly conducted and co-located on the School of Mines and SDSU campuses. The center focuses on research that leads to new technologies for processing plant-derived materials into biomaterials such as ethanol and key building block chemicals. It is anticipated that these efforts will reduce the nation’s dependence on petroleum and lower the production of greenhouse gases. Because of the unique geographical location of the center, local industry by-products, such as agriwaste and debris left over from logging, play a significant part in alternative chemical and fuel research, which has the potential for a farreaching impact on the economies of the Black Hills, agribusiness, and the state as a whole. Another key to the long-term success of the CBRD is the School of Mines’ new Ph.D. in chemical and biological engineering. The center provides cutting-edge equipment and support for
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research done by the doctoral students enrolled in this program. “Students are involved at every level,” Dr. Sookie Bang, CBRD interim director and School of Mines microbiology professor, said. “The center gives students not only hands-on experience, but the chance to interact with other researchers through the virtual center.” The research centers are an integral part of the governor’s 2010 economic development initiative. Governor Michael Rounds
noted that after only 24 months in operation, the four original research centers now report a $40 million economic impact from a state investment of $5.4 million. “Already in the short life of these research centers, they have made a significant impact in helping South Dakota become a recognized leader in research and technology development,” Rounds said. “I am confident this new operation will have similar success.”
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Professor’s Invention Goes Global 6
Professor’s Invention Goes Global The VDK 1000, a robotic jewelry polishing system invented by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology mechanical engineering professor Dr. Vojislav Kalanovich, has been accepted by Gesswein, one of the world’s largest suppliers of jewelry manufacturers, to market and sell. Eight years ago, Kalanovic invented the firstever robotic jewelry application. Since that time he has received numerous patents, awards, and accolades for his work. VDK 1000 is based on patented technology consisting of a Flexible Robotic Environment® (FRE) system that consists of a three axes modular gimbal design along with motion software. The FRE system builds a robotic environment around an application. It can, for example, pick up a ring, polish and grind the ring, and replace the ring in its original tray before picking up the next ring. Depending on certain variables, VDK 1000 can function about three times faster than a human operator when configured
Dr. Kalanovic oversees a test run of the VDK 1000 robotic jewelry polishing system.
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Professor’s Invention Goes Global
as a grinder and about four times faster when configured as a prepolisher. VDK 1000 also allows users to better control the material removal process which limits the amount of precious metal being removed and brings about savings in refining costs. VDK 1000 is currently successfully producing jewelry at Mt. Rushmore Jewelry (part of the Riddle’s group) manufacturing plant in Rapid City. The VDK 1000 is being marketed and manufactured under Control System Technologies (CST) LLC, of which Kalanovic is a majority owner. CST LLC is actively tied to the School of Mines as one of the first clients of Tech Ventures, a solely owned corporation of the SDSM&T Foundation. CST is a high-tech automation company that employs three engineers, 14 local owners, and works with two external collaborative companies in two countries. The mutual benefits of the collaboration between CST and the School of Mines include technology
transfer, student classroom involvement, and the advancement of entrepreneurial educational efforts at the School of Mines.
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Research Funding
Research Funding Research Award Highlights 2007 Army Research Laboratory ..................................................................$3,196,000
Advanced materials and processes for future combat systems
Air Force Research Laboratory ............................................................$1,920,000 Lightweight and novel structures for space
United States Department of Transportation ......................................$1,017,000 Quality base material produced using full-depth reclamation on existing asphalt pavement structure
South Dakota Board of Regents..............................................................$500,000 Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development
United States Environmental Protection Agency ....................................$303,780 South Dakota uranium mining impacts evaluation
Western Research Alliance Foundation ..................................................$275,000 Great Plains Center for Atmosphere and Human Health
South Dakota State University ................................................................$224,095 Science-based leadership for South Dakota
NASA ....................................................................................................$100,000 3-D modeling studies of lightning-produced nitric oxide
Lockheed Martin Corporation ..................................................................$65,000 Investigation of friction stir welding and friction stir spot welding as a mechanical fastener replacement technology for multiple rocket launch structures and components
National Science Foundation ..................................................................$531,739 Colleges of engineering as learning organizations: implications for student intellectual development
Award Information Total Awards Received for FYs 2000 and 2007
$ 20 M 2007 $17,148,735
$ 15 M
$ 10 M 2000
$5M
$0M
8
$6,045,524
Awards have increased 184%
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) ............................$10,091,012 National Science Foundation (NSF) ..............................$1,892,125 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) ....................$1,065,505 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ..............................................$619,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ....................$429,544 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)............................$303,780 U.S. Department of Commerce ........................................$275,000 U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ..................$168,300 U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) ..............................$105,746 U.S. Department of Education (DOED) ..............................$82,500 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ......$75,000 U.S. Department of Labor..................................................$57,275 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ......................................$28,796
Research Funding
External Source of FY 07 Project Funding
Federal Total ..............................................................$15,193,583 South Dakota Agencies ................................................$1,404,703 Private (includes Industry) ..............................................$395,715 Other ..............................................................................$154,734 Grand Total................................................................$17,148,735
FY 07 Research School of Mines faculty members and researchers received 72 awards totaling more than $17.1 million during the 2007 fiscal year. The funding came from many different agencies, including the Army Research Laboratory, Air Force Research Laboratory, National Science Foundation, NASA, U.S. Department of the Interior, the State of South Dakota, and many more.
DOD 58.8%
Other 1% USDA 1.8% Private/Industry 2.3% EPA 2.5%
NSF 11%
NASA 3.6% Other Federal 4.6% DOT 6.2%
State 8.2%
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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Small Science Big Business 10
Small Science Big Business With South Dakota Governor Michael Rounds’ recent announcement of a cooperative agreement with Zyvex Corporation of Richardson, Texas, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology’s well-established ties to nanotechnology just got stronger. Under the new agreement, Zyvex, the world’s first molecular nanotechnology company, will establish a Nanomaterial Prototyping, Testing and Characterization Facility at the School of Mines’ Composites and Polymer Engineering Laboratory (CAPE). Additionally, Zyvex opened its first satellite facility in the recently established Black Hills Business Development Center <www.blackhillsbiz.com> located on the School of Mines campus. Zyvex-South Dakota will initially manufacture pilot-scale quantities of Zyvex’s NanoSolve® material, and will also become a major user of the School of Mines’ CAPE Laboratory, utilizing those facilities to produce and characterize new
nanomaterial-based products. Work has already begun in the facility for Zyvex’s sporting goods customers, with a production rate of up to 800 pounds of NanoSolve® Enhanced Epoxy per month. This material is used to make carbon fiber composite structures even stronger and stiffer, and is finding significant acceptance in the highperformance sporting goods market. “Zyvex’s nanomaterials business has grown significantly this year,” Zyvex Founder and Chairman Jim Von Ehr said. “We have been looking for a production facility to allow us to scale up to tons of NanoSolve concentrate per month. We have also been renting access to processing and characterization equipment at other universities to supplement our own development lab. The polymer center is a superb facility and we are thrilled to establish a branch there to commercialize new nanocomposite materials.” The establishment of Zyvex-South Dakota is not the first partnership
between the School of Mines and the nanotechnology company. In 2005, Zyvex designated the School of Mines as the exclusive provider of integrated circuit board (ICB) failure analysis services to the semi-conductor industry. Under the agreement, Zyvex outsources all of its testing services to the Center for Accelerated Applications at the Nanoscale (CAAN), located at the School of Mines. The agreement involves the use of the most advanced integrated system developed for ICB probing and nanomanipulation, and the School of Mines is the first university to have this type of fully integrated system installed and operational. “Our partnership with Zyvex has already been tremendously successful, and we look forward to it becoming even more so in the future,” School of Mines President Dr. Charles Ruch said. “The continuance of this outstanding partnership is thanks to the work of our many partners, including those in the Office of the Governor, the Office of Economic Development,
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
© Zyvex Corporation
Rapid City Economic Development Partnership, the Black Hills Business Development Center, and many more. These entities are working together to match the Black Hills Vision goal of a technology corridor.” The presence of nanotechnology on the School of Mines campus goes far beyond the partnership with Zyvex. Established in 2004, CAAN was created through the governor’s 2010 initiative, part of which is aimed at growing the state’s economy by targeting investments in
specialized research at South Dakota public universities. CAAN is a multi-investigator and multi-disciplinary effort that involves faculty and research staff from numerous departments at three of the state’s research institutions. The center emphasizes applied research and development on a variety of nanomaterials applications with commercial potential. Aligning with the focus of CAAN is the School of Mines’ Ph.D. program in nanoscience and nanoengineering. The program is a cross-
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Small Science Big Business
This photograph shows a KZ100 Manipulator at work. The School of Mines purchased a system like this from the Zyvex Corporation of Richardson, Texas. School of Mines researchers use the equipment to expand nanotechnology research and create economic development opportunities in the region.
disciplinary degree in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Students benefit from faculty expertise in theory and modeling and computational physics, theory, and applications of nanocomposite materials, direct-write fabrication of electronics, and synthesis and processing of inorganic and organic nano-scaled materials. Students also work closely on research involving nanotechnology. Recent grants have provided funding for research involving semiconductor spintronics, new types of dental fillings, and flexible antennas. The School of Mines is also the lead institution for the North-Central Nanosystems Consortium that includes faculty at research universities in South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming. While the science of nanotechnology is on a tiny scale, the opportunities for the School of Mines, the region, and the state are huge.
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DUSEL Announcement 12
DUSEL Announcement Opens New Avenues The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is delighted to share in the excitement of the recent National Science Foundation (NSF) announcement of the selection of the Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory at Homestake as the development site for the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL). “The School of Mines would like to thank our congressional delegation, Governor Rounds, South Dakota Science Technology Authority, T. Denny Sanford, Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Kevin Lesko, and Barrick Gold Corporation, as well as those individuals on campus, in community organizations, and our other elected officials that worked to make this happen, beginning in 2000 with the announcement of the Homestake mine closure,” School of Mines President Dr. Charles Ruch said. “While there are many steps remaining, this is a significant milestone that we have reached.” “The project provides for unlimited research potential, and the School of
Mines look forward to participating in research in a wide array of fields, from physics to geology to biology. In return, we have had the opportunity to work closely with renowned researchers from the University of California Berkeley, the project lead on DUSEL, as well as eminent researchers from around the world,” Dr. Gautam Pillay, vice president for research, said. “We would like to thank Co-
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project. “This has been, and will be, a tremendous opportunity to interact with a large number of both nationally and internationally known scientists and engineers. While there is still a long road to seeing the lab to fruition, the announcement represents a monumental achievement and great cause to celebrate,” Roggenthen said. “This has the potential to provide new
This is just the beginning. The School of Mines
has real responsibilities to the Homestake Project in both the short—and long—terms.
Dr. Bill Roggenthen professor geological engineering Principal Investigator Dr. Bill Roggenthen for his role as the School of Mines liaison with the broader scientific community.” Roggenthen has been heavily involved in the underground lab development from the beginning, and will continue in his leadership role as liaison between the School of Mines and the DUSEL
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opportunities for students and faculty to form collaborations with areas that weren’t as available before.” Roggenthen, also a professor of geological engineering at the School of Mines, should know. He has already received tangible results of his involvement with the Homestake project, as noted by the National Science Foundation’s recent
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota Science and Technology Authority
Cellulosic fermentative bioproducts, such as ethanol, have the potential to reduce gasoline consumption. High potential microbes, such as thermophiles, degrade cellulosic waste at greater rates than normal, making production of the bioproducts much more efficient. Sani’s studies have shown that these culturable, unique cellulose-degrading thermophiles are present in the Homestake Mine. These projects are just the beginning of what looks to be a long and beneficial partnership with the DUSEL project. Roggenthen agrees. “This is just the beginning. The School of Mines has real responsibilities to the Homestake project in both the shortand long-terms,” Roggenthen said. “In addition to the work that our researchers are doing there, we have the opportunity to provide guidance, oversight, and capabilities, and also to interact with other projects.”
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
DUSEL Announcement
selection of Roggenthen and faculty from University of California-Berkeley to conduct a cooperative project on seismic research at the Homestake Mine. The three-year, $450,000 project is the first of its kind in the world. The project will test how much a 3D array of seismometers will improve sensitivity. Roggenthen hopes to advance seismology and understanding of the deep interior of the Earth. Homestake is a perfect fit for this project because of the unique access Roggenthen and his team has. With a 3D array, it is necessary to have the ability to distribute seismometers throughout the area, and this is possible at the mine. According to Roggenthen, the project will give them unique insight into how the facility behaves.
Roggenthen isn’t the only School of Mines researcher doing studies at Homestake. Dr. Sookie Bang, professor, chemical and biological engineering, is researching thermophiles — microorganisms that live underground at high temperatures. And Homestake, because of its depth, is the best place to study them. The introduction of outside influences through the mining operation would have interacted with the once isolated microorganisms, possibly causing mutations that have never been seen before. As the thermophiles grow, they produce enzymes and antibodies. These enzymes are thought to be able to sustain higher temperatures than normal, making them very valuable in cellulose material degredation, a necessary process in ethanol creation. The ability of these microorganisms to withstand the higher temperatures have the potential to make ethanol production more efficient. Dr. Rajesh Sani, assistant professor, chemical and biological engineering, is also studying thermophiles. His research centers around the treatment and generation of energy through microbial digestion systems using these microorganisms.
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Researchers Unearth the Past 14
Researchers Unearth the Past Amid 70-mile-an-hour winds and freezing Antarctic conditions, researchers from the School of Mines recovered the well-preserved fossil skeleton of a juvenile plesiosaur—a marine reptile that swam the waters of the Southern Ocean more than 70 million years ago. The fossil remains represent one of the mostcomplete plesiosaur skeletons ever found and is thought to be the bestarticulated fossil skeleton ever recovered from Antarctica. Dr. J. Foster Sawyer, a recent doctoral graduate of the School of Mines, found the skeleton on Vega Island while working with Dr. James Martin, curator of vertebrate paleontology and coordinator of the paleontology program at the School of Mines’ Museum of Geology. The weather and the harsh Antarctic climate made collecting the plesiosaur specimen exceedingly difficult. Weeks of winds exceeding 70 miles an hour hindered the excavation. At the end of the work, icy temperatures turned water to slush before
plaster could be mixed to encase the fossil for transportation. The ground was so frozen a digging tool snapped in half during the excavation. Finally, a jackhammer had to be carried up to the site in backpacks along with gasoline, plaster, and water. The resulting package of plesiosaur remains encased in a protective plaster jacket was too large to carry, so the Argentine air force brought helicopters to the rescue. It took five men to lift the specimen into the chopper, which delivered the cargo to the tent camp on the shores of Herbert Sound. The specimen was later picked up by the Laurence M. Gould, a National Science Foundation-chartered research vessel. At the Museum of Geology, the reptile was prepared by Michelle Pinsdorf and replicated by Shawna Johnson, both paleontology master’s students. After it was prepared in the United States, Dr. Martin said, the specimen was discovered to be the 5foot-long skeleton of a long-necked (elasmosaurid)
plesiosaur. An adult specimen could reach over 32 feet in length. According to Dr. Martin, most of the bones of the baby plesiosaur had not developed distinct ends due to the youth of the specimen. But the animal's stomach area was spectacularly preserved. Stomach ribs (gastralia) span the abdomen, and rather than being long, straight bones like those of most plesiosaurs, these are forked, sometimes into three prongs. Moreover, numerous small, rounded stomach stones (gastroliths) are concentrated within the abdominal cavity, indicating stomach stones were ingested even by juvenile plesiosaurs to help maintain buoyancy or to aid digestion. “It is a fantastic specimen — certainly one of a kind,” Dr. Martin said. “My colleagues and I are mighty pleased to have been able to uncover it.” The skeleton is nearly perfectly articulated as it would have been in life, but the skull has eroded away from the body. Extreme weather at the excavation
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Researchers Unearth the Past
site on Vega Island off the Antarctic Peninsula and lack of field time prevented further exploration for the eroded skull. Dr. Martin, Dr. Sawyer, and Wayne Thompson, Ph.D. student, were awarded Department of Defense Antarctica Service Medals for their work on the continent. The specimen is on display to the public at the School of Mines’ Museum of Geology.
Dr. Sawyer works to recover the plesiosaur under tough weather conditions.
Wayne Thompson, Dr. James Martin, and Dr. Sawyer .
The plesiosaur skeleton remains on display to the public at the School of Mines’ Museum of Geology.
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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Campus Briefs
Campus Briefs Drs. Han and Kim Awarded Patent for Ground-Breaking Invention Dr. Kenneth Han, professor emeritus, materials and metallurgical engineering, and Dr. Peter Nam-Soo Kim, research scientist I, Center for Accelerated Applications at the Nanoscale, have officially been awarded Patent No. 7,067,090 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The invention relates to the recovery of platinum group metals, which are recovered from various sources by roasting the source material with sulfuric acid, a sulfate and/or a bisulfate and halogen salt. The roasted product is then put in contact with a leaching solution to dissolve a portion of the platinum group metals, which can then be separated and recovered. “We are very pleased that Drs. Han and Kim have received this important recognition,” School of Mines President Dr. Charles Ruch said. “This is just one example of the groundbreaking work that happens every day at the School of Mines.”
Museum of Geology Adds Rare Fossil to Collection Dr. James Martin, curator of vertebrate paleontology and paleontology program director at the School of Mines, was notified by Dave Palmquist, an amateur paleontologist from Wisconsin, of his discovery of a fish skull, eroding from rocks along the Missouri River near Chamberlain. After contacting members of the United States Corps of Engineers (who owned the land where the specimen was found) and with funding from the office of the Dean of Science and Letters, Dr. Martin traveled to the site. He was joined by two paleontology graduate students, Lynn Harrell of Rapid City and Wayne Thompson of King George, Virginia. After locating the specimen, they spent two days in excavation, which resulted in a nearly
Industrial Engineering Professor Receives Prestigious NSF Award
New Fossil: The fossil Stratodus as it was found.
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complete specimen of an unusual fish, Stratodus. The fish has been found in marine rocks deposited during the end of the Age of Dinosaurs, about 85 million years ago, but few specimens include a complete skeleton such as the one excavated by the School of Mines. The skeleton indicates that this fish had a long, pointed skull armed with hundreds of needle-like teeth and a body that most closely resembles that of an eel. Harrell is removing the fossil skeleton from the rock and will prepare a scientific paper. This discovery is one of many made by dedicated members of the public who want these specimens representing our heritage preserved for the future. The specimen will go on display once it is completely prepared from the rock and will repose in the fossil collections of the Museum of Geology.
Dr. Jennifer Karlin, assistant professor, industrial engineering, is the recipient of a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The CAREER Award Program
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Campus Briefs and the students, and continuously improve. Next, Dr. Karlin will study different types of institutions to determine if a correlation exists between governance structures and the intellectual development of engineering students. The work will assist engineering educators in understanding the intellectual development of their students, with a goal of aiding engineering educators and curriculum developers in deploying practices to increase this development. This work opens new avenues of research combining the fields of engineering management and engineering education.
Atmospheric Sciences Professor Spearheads International Initiative to Address Global Environmental Change
Dr. P.V. Sundareshwar
A complete understanding of the causes and consequences of global environmental change requires data from across the globe, but key regions such as the Indian subcontinent and Africa are under-represented in the global efforts to gather such data. The Indian subcontinent, with more than a billion people, has a significant impact on regional and global environment, but is also very susceptible to global environmental change. In a Policy Forum article published in Science magazine on April 13, Dr. P.V. Sundareshwar, assistant professor, atmospheric sciences, details a plan for an environmental monitoring network for India. He and coauthors unveil a proposal for an integrated system to monitor terrestrial, coastal, and oceanic environments across India, called INDOFLUX. The data gathered will be shared internationally to augment global efforts and will also help evaluate current and future environmental changes in the region. Scientists from the U.S. and India developed a blueprint and objectives for INDOFLUX during a bilateral workshop sponsored by the IndoUS Science and Technology
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Campus Briefs
offers the NSF's most prestigious awards in support of the early career development activities of teacher-scholars who most effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their organization. These activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education. “Our congratulations go to Dr. Karlin. This is a rather large feather in her cap and one in ours too,” Dr. Duane Abata, dean of engineering at the School of Mines, said. “Having a NSF CAREER member of the faculty is prestigious and brings national visibility to her department, our college, and our university.” Dr. Karlin’s proposal, “Colleges of Engineering as Learning Organizations: Implications for Student Intellectual Development,” has received funding for five years in the amount of $531,739. Dr. Karlin will examine the governance of colleges of engineering to determine if they behave as learning organizations. Then she will work with engineering colleges and departments to develop a “scorecard” that will allow them to self-reflect, make decisions that benefit the organization, the faculty,
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Campus Briefs
Campus Briefs
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Forum, the Department of Science and Technology — Government of India, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and India’s Anna University. The Indian government has now earmarked an equivilant of about US $50 million for the five years to implement the proposed INDOFLUX. It is anticipated that this effort will enhance bilateral and multilateral collaborative actions towards addressing global environmental change. Dr. Sundareshwar has broad experience working in various aspects of environmental change and natural resource management. His primary research focus is on ecosystem science and nutrient cycling. He is the State Carbon Scientist and also directs the Biogeochemistry Core Facility on the School of Mines campus, established to help study global environmental and climate change. Science is one of the world's leading journals of original scientific research, global news, and commentary that has more than 700,000 weekly print readers and nearly 1.8 million weekly Web hits. Dr. Sundareshwar and the proposal are also featured in an article by Nature titled, “India Set to
Mr. Dale “Butch” Skillman
Check Environmental Pulse.”
Office of Technology Transfer Opens The School of Mines has established an Office of Technology Transfer (OTT). The OTT, directed by Dale “Butch” Skillman, assistant professor, mechanical engineering, is open for business and its services available will increase over time. Currently, several initiatives are being undertaken to create a sustainable and responsive intellectual property (IP) management function on the campus. The OTT will facilitate greater research interactions with corporate partners and sponsors, with one goal being the licensing of more School of Mines IP to industry as well as developing industrial relationships that will increase industry
sponsored research. Another OTT goal is to coach faculty entrepreneurs who are interested in pursuing commercialization of their ideas. Also, the OTT will work diligently to support our colleges in the creation of tenure and promotion policies that honor patents, entrepreneurship, and the commercialization of our technologies as measures of professional development. The OTT will establish policies, practices, and procedures that are widely understood and disseminated amongst those in our community who create new technologies. The OTT team represents more than 50 years of experience in the technology transfer enterprise.
Chemical and Biological Engineering Ph.D. Announced The new chemical and biological engineering Ph.D. program will give graduates an educational experience resulting in training in transport phenomena, chemical kinetics, biochemical engineering, chemical thermodynamics, and biotechnology. This core knowledge base will provide graduate students
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Research Notes the training to participate in biochemical and petrochemical processing; bio-based energy technologies, including biomass and biofuels; biobased and bio-compatible materials; bioremediation; emerging energy technologies; and polymer and composite materials and processing.
Research Notes The School of Mines is committed to an active research program that expands knowledge, pushes technological and scientific advancement, and contributes to economic development in the state and region. In fiscal year 2007, School of Mines researchers received more than $17.1 million in sponsored research and development funding. The School of Mines is home to several research institutions and centers. Plans are currently underway to expand the number of graduate degrees and to enhance the technologytransfer office. William Arbegast, director, advanced materials processing and joining laboratory (AMP), and instructor, materials and metallurgical engineering,
and Dr. Anil Patnaik, former assistant professor, civil and environmental engineering, received $80,000 in additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the project, “Friction Stir Processing Industry/University Cooperative Research Center.” Arbegast also received $40,001 from the Friction Stir Processing Industry for the project, “University Cooperative Research Center Memberships/Effects of Defects in Friction Stir Welds,” and $65,000 from Lockheed Martin Corporation for the project, “Phase 1: Preliminary Investigation into the use of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) and Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) as a Mechanical Fastener Replacement Technology for Multiple Rocket Launch (MRLS) Structures and Components.” In addition, Arbegast received $40,500 from the Boeing Company for the project, “Boeing Phase II Titanium Friction Stir Welding Process Development,” $30,000 from Transition45 Technologies, Inc. for the project, “Friction Stir Processing of Cast Superalloys,” and $3,000 from Friction Stir Link, Inc. for the project, “Friction Stir Link Plug Welding.”
Dr. Sangchul Bang, professor, civil and environmental engineering, received $1,017,000 from the United States Department of Transportation — Federal Highway Administration for the project, “Quality Base Material Produced Using Full Depth Reclamation on Existing Asphalt Pavement Structure.” Dr. William Capehart, associate professor, atmospheric sciences, received $46,000 in additional funding from South Dakota State University for the project, “Evaluating the Effects of Institutional Change on Regional Hydrometeorology: Assessing the Vulnerability of the Eurasian Semi-arid Grain Belt.” Dr. David Chaiko, deputy director, Center for Accelerated Applications at the Nanoscale, received $9,316 from the Pacer Corporation for the project, “Surface Treatment Research Program.” Dr. Shawn Decker, director,
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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Campus Briefs continued
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Center for Accelerated Applications at the Nanoscale, received $585,000 from the South Dakota Board of Regents for the project, “Center for Accelerated Applications at the Nanoscale — Year Three.” Dr. Andrew Detwiler, professor, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, received $65,432 in additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the project, “Intergovernmental Personnel Act Associate Program Manager Assignment to National Science Foundation.” Dr. David Dixon, chair and professor, chemical and biological engineering, received $500,000 from the South Dakota Board of Regents for the project, “Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development.” Dr. Daniel Dolan, professor, mechanical engineering, and Dr. John Weiss, professor, mathematics and computer science, received $690,000 from the United States Department of Defense — Army Research Laboratory for the project, “UAV — Deployed Penetrating Radar for Through-the-Wall Sensing Project.” Dr. Edward Duke, manager of analytical services, Engineering and Mining Experiment Station, and professor, geology and geological engineering,
received $403,000 in additional funding from NASA for the project, “South Dakota Space Grant Consortium.” Dr. Duke also received $40,000 in additional funding from NASA for the project, “Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Higher Education Program.” Richard Farley, research scientist IV, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, and Dr. P.V. Sundareshwar, assistant professor, atmospheric sciences, received $275,000 from the Western Research Alliance Foundation for the project, “Great Plains Center for Atmosphere and Human Health.” Dr. Sherry Farwell, research scientist IV, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, received $354,593 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense — Dugway Proving Grounds for the project, “United States Army Dugway — CBART One Year Option for Contract W911S-06-C0010.” Dr. Farwell also received $88,297 from Dugway Proving Ground for the project, “Characteri-
zation of Barrier Membranes for Their Perm-Selective Transmission of Water Vapor and Gaseous Proxy Chemical Warfare Agents.” Dr. Farwell, and Dr. Teresa Corbin, research scientist II, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, received $44,421 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense for the project, “IPE Assessment for Real Time Swatch Detection System.” Dr. Kenneth Han, professor emeritus, materials and metallurgical engineering, received $40,500 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “Graduate Research Fellowship Program.” Dr. John Helsdon, professor, atmospheric sciences, received $100,000 in additional funding from NASA for the project, “3-D Modeling Studies of Lightning-Produced Nitric Oxide with an Explicit Lightning/Electrification Model.” Carrie Herbel, former museum and collections manager, received $44,482 from the United States Department of Interior — National Parks Service for the project, “Provide Quality Paleontological Educational Experience at Pig Dig for the 2006 Field Season and
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Research Notes professor, materials and metallurgical engineering, and Dr. Keith Whites, professor and Steven P. Miller chair, electrical and computer engineering, received $224,095 in additional funding from South Dakota State University for the project, “The 2010 Initiative: Science-Based Leadership for South Dakota.” Dr. Scott Kenner, chair and professor, civil and environmental engineering, received $314,800 from the West River Water Development District for the project, “Lower Cheyenne River, TMDL Assessment Project.” Dr. Kenner also received $114,744 from RESPEC for the project, “Belle Fourche River Watershed Management and Project Plan Segment III,” and $9,024 in additional funding from the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the project, “Computer Modeling of Segment 7 of the Missouri River to Study Sediment Transport Relationships Relevant to Endangered Species Habitat
Restoration.” Dr. Carter Kerk, professor, industrial engineering, and Dr. Jennifer Karlin, assistant professor, received $10,749 from the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) for the project, “Lean ErgonomicsMaterial Handling Equipment Solutions — Phase 1.” Dr. Charles Kliche, professor, mining engineering and management, and Dr. Hladysz Abigniew, received $16,790 from the United States Department of Labor for the project, “Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) State Grant.” Drs. Kliche and Hladysz also received $40,485 in additional funding from the United States Department of Labor for the project, “Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) State Grant.” Dr. Alvis Lisenbee, professor, and Dr. Arden Davis, Mickelson professor, geology and geological engineering, received $14,970 from
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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2006/2007 Academic Year.” Herbel also received $13,818 from the United States Department of Interior — National Parks Service for the project, “Provide Quality Paleonotological Educational Experience at Pig Dig” (2005 remaining lab preparation funds for 2005/2006 Academic Year). Dr. Mark Hjelmfelt, chair, atmospheric sciences, and professor, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, received $262,603 in additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the project, “Collaborative Research: Effects of NonUniform Surface Conditions on Lake-Effect Systems.” Dr. Jennifer Karlin, assistant professor, industrial engineering, received $531,739 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “CAREER: Colleges of Engineering as Learning Organizations: Implications for Student Intellectual Development.” Dr. Mel Klasi, associate professor, civil and environmental engineering, received $43,905 from the Federal Highway Administration for the project, “South Dakota Transportation Technology Services.” Dr. Jon Kellar, chair and
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the West Dakota Water Development District for the project, “Mt. Rushmore Quad-Geol.” Drs. Lisenbee and Davis also received $14,763 from the West Dakota Water Development District for the project, “Rockerville QuadAquifer VULN.” Dr. James Martin, professor and paleontology program coordinator, geology and geological engineering, received $45,946 from the United States Department of Interior — National Park Service for the project, “Provide Quality Paleontological Education Experience at Pig Dig for the 2007 Field Season and 2007/2008 Academic Year.” Dr. Martin also received $1,500 from the United States Department of Interior for the project, “National Park Service/Bureau of Land Management 2007: Fossil Lake Field Paleontology School.” Jolie McCoy, director, Counseling/Student ADA Services, received $75,000 in additional funding from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the project,
“School of Mines Campus Suicide Prevention Program (CSPP).” Dr. Todd Menkhaus, assistant professor, chemical and biological engineering, received $24,190 from the South Dakota Board of Regents for the project, “Governor’s 2010 Individual Research Seed Grant Award.” Dr. Thomas Montoya, assistant professor, electrical and computer engineering, received $25,617 from the South Dakota Board of Regents for the project, “Governor’s 2010 Individual Research Seed Grant Award.” Dr.Anil Patnaik, former assistant professor, civil and environmental engineering, and Dr. Venekataswamy Ramakrishnan, distinguished professor emeritus, civil and environmental engineering, received $4,600 from the South Dakota Department of Transportation for the project, “Evaluation of Crack-Free Bridge Decks.” Dr. Gautam Pillay, vice president for research and professor, chemical and biological engineering, Dr. Jan Puszynski, professor, chemical and
biological engineering, and Dr. Jacek Swiatkiewicz, instructor and research scientist II, chemical and biological engineering, received $596,163 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense — Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC) for the project, “ARDEC FY 2006 Program Plan.” Dr. Pillay and Dr. James Sears, director, Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, received $420,130 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense — Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC) for the project, “ARDEC FY 2006 Program Plan.” Dr. Pillay; Mr. William Arbegast, Advanced Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory (AMP), and instructor, materials and metallurgical engineering; Casey Allen, former research scientist II, Advanced Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory; Dr. Dana Medlin, associate professor, materials and metallurgical engineering; Dr. Haiping Hong, research scientist III, materials and metallurgical engineering; Dr. Sherry Farwell, adjunct research scientist IV; Dr. Teresa Corbin, research scientist II, graduate education and sponsored programs; Dr. Dan Dolan, professor, mechanical engineering; Dr.
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Research Notes Dr. Medlin; Dr. Sears, director, Additive Manufacturing Laboratory; and Dr. Robb Winter, professor, chemical and biological engineering, received $370,045 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense — Air Force Research Laboratory. Dr. Pillay; Dr. Fong; Dr. Boyles; Dr. Korde; Dr. Winter; Dr. Muci; Dr. Gregory Buck, associate professor, mechanical engineering; and Dr. Dolan received $1,371,000 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense — Air Force Research Laboratory. Dr. Pillay and Dr. Michael Langerman, chair and professor, mechanical engineering, received $240,000 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense — Army Research Laboratory for the project, “Advanced Materials and Processes for Future Combat Systems.” Dr. Pillay also received $753,839 from Alion Science and Technology Corporation for the project, “Agile Combat Support Systems Wing (ACSS) CrossCutting Weapons Solutions Aging Aircraft Structural Repair Facility Study.”
Dr. Jan Puszynski, professor, chemical and biological engineering, received $37,500 in additional funding from the University of Minnesota for the project, “Processing Behavior of Nanoenergetic Materials.” Dr. Rajesh Sani, assistant professor, chemical and biological engineering, received $216,275 from Montana State University for the project, “Biochemical Cycling of Heavy Metals in Lake Coeur d’Alene Sediments: the Role of Indigenous Microbial Communities.” Dr. Sani also received $18,597 from the South Dakota Board of Regents for the project, “Governor’s 2010 Individual Research Seed Grant Award.” Dr. James Sears, director, Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, received $100,000 from International Titanium Powder (ITP) for the project, “Development of Low Cost Titanium Applications by the
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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John Weiss, professor, mathematics and computer science; Dr. David Boyles, professor, chemistry; Dr. Hao Fong, assistant professor, chemistry; Dr. Keith Whites, professor and Steven P. Miller chair, electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Robb Winter, professor, chemical and biological engineering; and Dr. Karim Muci, associate professor, mechanical engineering, received $3,196,000 in additional funding from the United States Department of Defense — Army Research Laboratory (ARL) for the project, “Advanced Materials and Processes for Future Combat Systems.” Dr. Pillay; Dr. Jon Kellar, chair and professor, materials and metallurgical engineering; Dr. Korde; Dr. Fong; Dr. Hong; Dr. Boyles; William Arbegast; Dr. William Cross, instructor and research scientist III, materials and metallurgical engineering Department; Dr. Lidvin Kjerengtroen, professor, mechanical engineering; and Dr. Medlin received $1,920,000 from the United States Department of Defense — Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for the project, “Lightweight and Novel Structures for Space.” Dr. Pillay, vice president, research; Dr. Kellar; Dr. Korde; Dr. Fong; Dr. Hong; Dr. Boyles; William Arbegast; Dr. Cross; Dr. Kjerengtroen;
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Armstrong Process.” Dale Skillman, associate professor, mechanical engineering and director, office of technology transfer, received $168,300 from Rapid City Area Economic Development for the project, “Office of Technology Transfer at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Administered by the Rapid City Area Economic Development Partnership Funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.” Dr. Steve Smith, associate professor, nanoscience and nanoengineering; Dr. Andre Petukhov, chair and professor, physics; and Dr. Keith Whites, professor and Steven P. Miller chair, electrical and computer engineering, received $423,802 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “MRI: Design and Development of a Femtosecond Apertureless Near-field Microscope.” Dr. Smith also received $29,620 from the South Dakota Board of Regents for the project, “Governor’s 2010 Individual Research Seed Grant Award.” Dr. Larry Stetler, associate professor, geology and geological engineering, received $50,000 from
Pennington County for the project, “Determining Landuse Compatibility from Development Along Highway 79 in the Hermosa NW Quadrangle, South Dakota.” Dr. James Stone, assistant professor, civil and environmental engineering, received $6,000 in additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the project, “Degradation of Antimicrobial Agents Tylosin and Chlorotetracycline During Swine Waste Treatment.” Drs. Stone and Stetler received $303,780 in additional funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the project, “South Dakota Uranium Mining Impacts Evaluation.” Dr. Andrea Surovek, assistant professor, civil and environmental engineering, received $21,679 from South Dakota Board of Regents for the project, “Governor’s 2010 Individual Research Seed Grant Award.” Dr. Karen Updegraff, research scientist I, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, received $28,796 in additional funding from Montana State University for the project, “Big Sky Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership —
Phase II.” Dr. Karen Whitehead, provost and vice president, academic affairs, received $82,500 in additional funding from the United States Department of Education for the project, “Wise Start: Increasing Opportunities for Native American Women in STEM Programs.” Dr. Robb Winter, professor, chemical and biological engineering, received $162,054 from the National Science Foundation for the project, “Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment.” Dr. Patrick Zimmerman, former director, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, and professor, atmospheric sciences, received $79,625 in additional funding from the National Science Foundation for the project, “He Sapa Oyate: Geoscience Community at the Heart of Everything That is (OEDG Track 2).”
Research Report Fall 2007 • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology