The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) consists of the six schools of engineering, the School of Architecture, and the Division of Engineering Technology, and offers a broad spectrum of educational opportunities designed to meet the technological needs of a modern society. Its faculty members have consistently achieved excellence in the classroom while directing a program that ranks among the best in the nation on the basis of research expenditures per faculty. This is only possible because of an outstanding faculty and their commitment to excellence.
In 1993, the CEAT received the largest capitol grant in its history-$7.3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for the construction of an Advanced Technology Research Center facility. These funds will be used to match $12.5 million in state funds to construct a state- of-the-art facility for research, technology development, and technology transfer. This facility will satisfy the critical need for space for energy-related research that is of strategic importance to the state and nation. When completed in early 1997, the 165,000 square foot facility will provide the faculty from all schools and divisions with space to conduct research in the following areas: (1) applied laser research for industry and medicine; (2) energy conservation; (3) energy storage and conversion; (4) energy intensive manufacturing; and (4) water and hazardous waste management and mitigation.
CEAT research expenditures have continued to increase so that during 1993 more than 50 faculty received salary support from external funds. This figure represents nearly 70 percent of the engineering faculty. The research also provided more than 120 students with the opportunity to pursue a graduate education. External grants and contracts continue to provide a means for recruiting quality students for the CEAT graduate programs.
The research activities form the basis for strong undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Research provides faculty members the opportunity to keep abreast of the most recent developments and innovations in their field. This information is subsequently incorporated into instructional programs, enriching the education of students in engineering, architecture, and technology. Students also learn special research skills while working in the laboratory under the mentorship of research faculty.
The diverse scholarly activities of CEAT faculty reflect the interests and expertise of this highly qualified and motivated group. Current research projects include basic research as well as practical applications to real-world problems. In addition to creating new knowledge, faculty are engaged in the transfer of technology to business and industry to enable these firms to compete in the global marketplace. While research is conducted that fulfills the broad range of faculty interests, CEAT places special emphasis on four research thrust areas: (1) integrated design and manufacturing; (2) energy conservation, conversion, and storage; (3) water and hazardous waste management and remediation; and (4) application of laser technology for manufacturing and medicine.
Multidisciplinary teams are engaged in research in each of these areas and include collaboration with faculty in other colleges and universities. Interest in environmentally safe manufacturing resulted in a faculty team from the School of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Chemistry (in the College of Arts and Sciences) cooperating in the study of the production of sulfolane. The objective of the research will be the minimization of waste generated during the production of this important compound. Faculty from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Department of Physics are collaborating in the study of the manufacture and inspection of ceramic bearings. This project, funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), will provide an emerging industry with technology to compete in the global marketplace.
Since the 1960's, CEAT has sought to create industry- university alliances for the transfer of University- developed technology to industrial problems. The research areas were chosen so that Oklahoma State University will develop national visibility and reputation for its work. Currently, there are industrial consortia agreements to study (1) ion exchange technology for ultra-pure water; (2) the fracture of welded joints in tubular members; (3) downhole corrosion of petroleum production sites; (4) the implementation and utilization of alternate energy sources; and (5) the behavior of high-speed webs for paper and plastic manufacturing. These programs focus on research areas that will assist and enhance state and national industries and have the potential to contribute to future economic growth.
A strong CEAT commitment of support for state economic development activities has resulted in the successful pursuit of grants from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). Formed by legislation in the late 1980's, OCAST is responsible for the support of businesses, industries, and laboratories engaged in product research and development. The purpose of the act is to promote state economic development by establishing programs to create new products and processes, and to facilitate development and marketing. CEAT has been a strong partner in this activity, participating in the Chairs and Professorship, Health Research, Applied Research, and Centers of Excellence Programs.
In addition to external grants and contracts, the University also supports faculty research by providing release time for professors to pursue research that does not currently have external sponsors. These funds target the new faculty members and provide an avenue to develop research that will be successful in competing for extramural funds.
CEAT Research Administration coordinates research activities for the following eight schools and fourteen interdisciplinary centers or laboratories associated with the College.* Architecture (J. F. Knight), Chemical Engineering (R. L. Robinson), Civil and Environmental Engineering (R. K. Hughes), Electrical and Computer Engineering (J. E. Baker), General Engineering (B. L. Basore), Industrial Engineering and Management (T. Greene), Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (L. L Hoberock), Division of Engineering Technology (J. E. Bose), Oklahoma Center for Integrated Design and Manufacturing (K. N. Reid), Web Handling Research Center (K. N. Reid), Computer Integrated Manufacturing Center (J. H. Mize), Center for Local Government Technology (J. E. Shamblin), Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Center (W. Turner), Center for Water and Waste Management (R. K. Hughes), Electronics Research and Development Laboratory (T. G. Bertenshaw), Engineering Energy Laboratory (R. G. Ramakumar), Signal Processing Laboratory (R. Yarlagadda), Robotics Design Laboratory (L. L. Hoberock), Manufacturing Processes and Materials Laboratory (R. Komanduri), Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (C. M. Bacon), Real-Time Distributed Systems Laboratory (M. T. Hagan), and the Eglin Field Office (J. R. Wolff).
Each research project administered through the Office of CEAT Research Administration during 1993 is listed by school and project title. Also included is a brief narrative about the project's purpose, the name of the supporting organization(s), the name(s) of the principal investigator (s) and supporting personnel.
*School heads and directors are shown in parentheses.