R&D Brief   April 13, 2009 - Vol. 6 Num. 7 WSU/NIAR ranks 3rd in aerospace engineering   Data by the National Science Foundation continues to rank Wichita State University third among all U.S. universities aeronautical engineering research and development expenditures. WSU’s expenditures topped $32 million on aeronautical engineering R&D in 2007, the most recent numbers tracked by the NSF. That’s an increase of $13.4 million over 2006 expenditures, for which WSU also ranked No. 3 in the nation.   Ahead of Wichita State in this year’s rankings are Johns Hopkins University and Georgia Institute of Technology. WSU ranked ahead of more than 160 other universities.  “We are extremely proud of our world class aeronautical engineering R&D programs, which are an essential element of our mission and our most important connection to national research priorities,” said Gary L. Miller, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research. Wichita State's No. 3 rank is largely due to the research and testing programs at the National Institute for Aviation Research at WSU. This significant growth is partly because of the support of the local and national aviation industry, the state of Kansas and numerous federal agencies. NIAR has grown at a steady rate for the past 10 years, increasing its operating budget from $11 million in 1998 to nearly $36 million in 2008. Continued growth and high ranks in aeronautical research are expected for Wichita State and NIAR with the addition of a new test facility, laboratories and involvement in the National Center for Aviation Training. NIAR's new facility, located behind the main facility on the WSU campus, houses several of NIAR's new environmental testing laboratories, which provide environmental certification testing. The National Center for Aviation Training will be located at Jabara Airport and will provide a wide range of aviation training services. NIAR will have facilities dedicated to CATIA training, composites research, nondestructive inspection and advanced joining technologies at this facility, which is scheduled to open to students in the fall of 2010. For more information, contact Tracee Friess, NIAR marketing and communication manager, at (316) 978-5597. NIAR participates in Bowl for Kids Sake A seven-member team of National Institute for Aviation Research employees raised $2,800 recently in a Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser. The NIAR team’s funds will help to match nearly three children waiting for mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Members of the NIAR Bowl for Kids’ Sake team (pictured from left to right) were Beech Wind Tunnel director John Laffen, Composites Lab manager Jeff Gilchrist, senior research engineer Kraig Rowe, marketing and communications manager Tracee Friess, R&D director Tom Aldag and research engineer Royal Lovingfoss. Lamia Salah, a senior research engineer in the Mechanical Test Lab, also raised money for the event. About Big Brothers, Big Sisters & Bowl for Kids Sake BBBS of Sedgwick County helps boys and girls ages 5-17, most of whom are considered at-risk and living in single-parent homes, achieve their full potential through long-term personal relationships with carefully screened and caring volunteers. BBBS volunteers spend 1-3 hours a week with a youth developing a relationship that provides a bridge to cultural, social, educational and economic opportunities often lacking in a Little’s life. Bowl for Kids’ Sake generates one-third of the BBBS annual operating budget and is the single largest source of funds and new Bigs. For more information, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters online at www.kansasbigs.org or call 263-3300. ATTENTION WICHITA AREA COMPOSITES FIRMS: GWEDC reminds you to complete composites survey   The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition is working to develop a database of composites and advanced materials companies and organizations in the Greater Wichita area. The GWEDC's Composites Kansas initiative will expand the visibility of area composites organizations' products and services by including them in a searchable database on the GWEDC Web site. This database will be promoted at composites trade shows worldwide starting this spring. NIAR assisted in developing this survey and has completed its portion of the survey, which takes no more than three minutes to complete. If you received an e-mail from the GWEDC's Tammy Nolan, please complete the survey as soon as possible. The National Institute for Aviation Research is a prestigious state-of-the-art aerospace research and development laboratory with global reach and expertise in research, design, testing, and certification. The Institute’s clientele includes many of the world’s aerospace manufacturers, NASA and the FAA. It is the largest aviation R&D academic institution in America.  The National Institute for Aviation Research is an unincorporated division of Wichita State University.