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Testing Facilities & Centers at NC A&T Related to CAAE Research
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Research with polymeric-based composite materials at North Carolina A&T State University was started in 1976. The present Center was established in 1988 formally as a center of excellence in composite materials. The major facilities are the Computational Laboratory, Mechanical Testing Laboratory, Diagnostic Laboratory, and Composite Processing and Fabrication Laboratory. Research activities are focused on (a) processing and fabrication of simple to complex composite components (autoclave, compression molding, resin transfer molding, and composite structural components); (b) use of textile fiber architectures in the fabrication of non-trivial light weight composite components (braids, plain weaves, etc.); (c) testing and characterization of composite materials; (d) analysis of composite structural components; (e) study of cost-effective near net-shaped composite components; (f) development of innovative processing techniques with textile fabrics (small ablative nozzles, integrally blade-stiffened panels, box sections, etc.); and (g) training of students and engineers from industry in the fabrication and use of composites.
Structures Laboratory
The structural engineering laboratory at North Carolina A&T State University is a 1500 ft2 facility that has been used to conduct a variety of structural research and is also an undergraduate teaching laboratory. In the high bay area, serviced by a 10 ton overhead crane, is the main testing frame that has a 110 kip servo-controlled MTS 110 kip actuator that can be used to apply static and dynamic loads to specimens up to 10 ft wide, 23 ft in span and up to 14' in height. Supporting the main and ancillary loading systems are two national instrument based computer data acquisition systems. There are also a variety of sensors available that include Load cells ,ranging from 2.5 kips through 100 kips, displacement transducers ranging from +- 0.05 through +- 6 and pressure transducers ranging from 0 to 5 psi through 0 to 100 psi. In addition to the testing equipment there are also a variety of construction material fabrication equipment, and standard concrete and cement material test equipment.
Center for Energy Research and Technology
The mission of the Center is to enhance undergraduate and graduate education through energy-related research and to transfer this new knowledge to regional and national industries. The objective is to improve economic competitiveness while reducing the environmental impact that results from excessive energy consumption. The research focuses on energy use and energy efficiency in buildings and industrial processes as they relate to technological, economic, political and environmental issues.
Civil Infrastructure Research Institute
The Institute conducts materials characterization, materials testing, load modeling, and structural health and durability research on concrete pavement materials and aircraft runway paving structures. The objective is to determine full-scale validation of airport pavement using field instrumentation and computer simulation, more accurate evaluation of asphalt and concrete elastic and visco-elastic properties, and more accurate simulation of the loading of new, heavier airplanes' landing gear on airfield pavements. Its major research efforts are concentrated at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in preparation for the proposed FedEx Mid-Atlantic Hub, but other focus areas are (1) the structural health and durability of bridges and highways and (2) dredging technology.
Transportation Institute
The mission of the Transportation Institute is to coordinate and manage interdisciplinary research, training, and technology transfer activities involving faculty, staff and students from various departments within the University. The activities of the Institute include soliciting extramural funding; coordinating faculty development and student enrichment programs; facilitating technology transfer; providing technical assistance and public service; and coordinating other transportation related programs. The Transportation Institute functions as a national and regional center for research and training and as an information clearinghouse.
Waste Management Institute
The Waste Management Institute is an interdisciplinary program that is designed to enhance awareness and understanding of waste management problems in our society and to enhance instruction, research, and outreach aimed at improving the quality of life and protecting the environment. The goals of the Institute are to increase the number of professionals in environmental and waste management, to enhance interdisciplinary research, to increase public awareness, and to facilitate cooperative and exchange programs among students, faculty, government, and industry.
Bioprocessing Laboratory
Bioprocessing is the use of biological organisms or naturally occurring entities like microbes, plant and animal tissue, enzymes and other biochemical constituents, to treat, convert, and produce various products. Bioprocessing can be used to solve problems ranging from environmental remediation and wastewater treatment to medical and diagnostic applications, and beyond.
The Bioprocessing Laboratory is committed to advancing the ideals of Biosystems Engineering, combining basic science of biology with engineering principles. In an effort to minimize waste and determine methods to recycle these materials, problem sources of interest are identified and environmentally sound solutions are then sought. This laboratory evaluates the application of using various types of organisms to produce beneficial products. The lab is involved in the research and development of methods that involve extraction, purification, and the qualitative and quantitative analysis of various compounds produced by means of fermentation.
The Bioprocessing laboratory also plays a role in providing students with hands on experience in research that compliments their classroom studies. The lab environment is geared towards encouraging active learning and enhancing the student's performance skills. In a broader context, students seeking a secondary degree are provided with research projects that will enable them to not only refine their analytical skills, but also obtain practical real world research experience. The goal of this laboratory is to design methods that will help to preserve and make the best use of our natural resources. Ultimately, the research work performed in this lab will enable us to apply what has been learned to help solve various problems in the agriculture and food industries.
