October 10, 2005 - Volume 2, Number 7
Advanced Joining Lab applies for NSF grant
| The Advanced Joining Technology Lab at Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research is in the process of applying for a $10,000 planning grant to become part of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Center for Friction Stir Processing (CFSP).
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The lab recently received a letter in support of its application from the current CFSP university members. In the letter, William J. Arbegast, Director of the CFSP, said the lab’s proposed focused research areas are synergistic with the objectives of the CFSP and the interests of its industrial sponsors.
"The WSU/NIAR partnership in the CFSP will enhance the intellectual capacity of the engineering and science workforce through continued integration of research and education," he said.
The CFSP is a multi-institutional Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) started in October 2004. The center brings together the premier friction stir processing (FSP) academic institutions in the United States and focuses on addressing the needs of aerospace, aeronautic, energy, military, and commercial industries in developing friction stir processing. Currently the South Dakota School of Mines, the University of South Carolina, Brigham Young University and the University of Missouri–Rolla are members of the CFSP.
The Advanced Joining Technology lab has proposed four research programs for development during the planning phase. These include: 1) Development of a performance specification model for friction stir welding and processing, 2) Development of process specification development guides for industrial partners, 3) Testing and qualification of common aluminum alloy full-scale aerospace structures produced using friction stir welding processes, and 4) Evaluation of initial temper and post weld treatments for optimization of strength, damage tolerance and corrosion resistance of friction stir welded aluminum alloys for aerospace applications.
If the planning grant is received it would allow Dr. Dwight Burford, Wichita State site director, to work with other NIAR and Wichita State researchers to formulate projects based on the lab’s four research programs. It would also provide for direct contact between Wichita State and NIAR researchers and current CFSP university members to help shape possible contributions to the center by NIAR and Wichita State.
Wichita State administration also supports the lab’s efforts to join the CFSP. The university is willing to provide a 25 percent cost share match to sponsor membership fees and has agreed to provide interdisciplinary laboratory and office space needed to administer the center and to perform the research activities.
Advanced Joining Technology
