Four proposals for the Infrastructure Improvement Program Major Equipment opportunity were awarded through North Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. The awards, totaling $397,810, will expand research capabilities in cross-disciplines, departments and colleges. A total of 29 proposals were received.
The program addresses infrastructure research needs for multi-scale state-of-the art equipment. Competing criteria included the potential to contribute to the quality of existing research and to the education of students and postdoctoral students; potential to expand research opportunities and increase proposal submissions; and a sustainability plan, including maintaining shared use and maintenance of the equipment.
Awardees, their departments, equipment awarded, and major users of the multi-scale equipment awards include:
Mukund Sibi, distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry, a fluorescence activated cell sorter – Major users will be at least eight multidisciplinary, early career researchers and their trainees in the fields of veterinary and micro science, biological science, engineering and pharmaceutical science, as well as researchers in the chemistry and biochemistry department. The equipment will be housed at the Core Biology Facility.
Fardad Azarmi, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, a high velocity oxygen fuel spraying system – The equipment offers an economical and technically viable method to deposit thin layers on complex components that cannot otherwise be easily fabricated. Researchers and students in physics, coatings and polymeric materials, Center for Nanoscale Science Engineering, materials and nanoscale technology and engineering will be able to improve and expand their research capabilities.
Clayton Hilmert, associate professor of psychology, comprehensive psychophysiological recording suite – Eight major users and students in six areas of three campus colleges and departments will benefit from the award. Researchers in neuroscience and cardiovascular engineering, animal science-equine therapy studies will conduct advanced studies in cardiac diseases, post-traumatic stress disorder and other neurological disorders.
Gregory Cook, professor and chair of chemistry and biochemistry, a 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer – The equipment will be located in the NMR Spectroscopy Core Facility, a resource with registered users from agriculture, pharmacy, engineering, and science and mathematics.
North Dakota EPSCoR is a federally and state funded program designed to help university researchers compete more effectively for federal, regional and private research grants in the sciences, engineering and mathematics. For more information, visit www.ndepscor.nodak.edu.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.