Today, Senators Christopher "Kit" Bond (MO), Jim Talent (MO) and U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) commended the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) for receiving a grant from National Aeronautical Space Administration's (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center located in Huntsville, Alabama.

 

The $30,000 grant will be used to test for defects in the thick foam currently used by NASA using the microwave nondestructive testing technique (NDT). The technique has been developed and perfected, in large part, at UMR by Professor Reza Zoughi.

Commenting on the announcement, Senator Bond, the Chair of the VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee responsible for NASA funding stated, "I am pleased that NASA has recognized the scientific talent right here at the University of Missouri-Rolla. With this research UMR students and professors have a real opportunity to make significant contributions to the future of NASA's mission."

 

Senator Talent, who has visited UMR on numerous occasions added, "Some of the best research in the country is conducted in the University of Missouri system and I'm pleased that NASA has recognized the outstanding work that is being done at UMR. This important research will help move America's space program forward after last month's terrible tragedy."

 

Emerson, who has worked the last several years to obtain funding for research conducted at UMR including research funds for the development of aircraft coatings and earthquake proofing materials for roads and bridges added, "NASA and UMR are both pioneers in scientific research that have a positive effect on many aspects of our everyday lives. I'm pleased that NASA is utilizing our scientific community right here in Rolla and hope that the research will further strengthen the future of the space program."

 

Currently, few technologies are available to detect the presence of defects in certain materials such as thick composite foam. However, one such technology that has proven effective is microwave nondestructive testing techniques used at UMR. Following the Shuttle Columbia disaster, NASA, in an effort to determine the reliability and safety of foam used in shuttle construction, sent similar foam to UMR for testing in order to determine the effectiveness of the material. After receiving preliminary testing results achieved using microwave NDT techniques, NASA expressed an interest for additional testing to be performed. The funds provided by NASA will allow UMR to further build on its preliminary findings with the long-term goal of developing a device which NASA can use for testing in the future.