The Lohr College of Engineering hosts a wide range of world-class research laboratories, centers and partnerships that can be leveraged for future funding opportunities. The following list identifies the most significant of these resources.
The Electromechanical Systems Lab is comprised of four rooms (an instructional lab, an undergraduate lab, a graduate lab and a utility room) totaling 3,050 square feet. Research projects include the design of various machine drives for DC and 3-phase AC induction motors and the design of AC-AC voltage-to-voltage converters for use in low voltage distribution substations.
The AME Production Lab is a teaching laboratory primarily focused on the needs of the Architecture, Construction and Operations Management and Mechanical Engineering departments. In addition to supporting student learning activities, the shops provide custom fabrication, machining and welding, product design and manufacturability consulting and project support for entrepreneurs.
The Biofuels Research Laboratory is located in Crothers Engineering Hall. The primary objectives of the Biofuels lab are to:
- Assess and optimize the pathways of producing liquid, gaseous and solid biofuels and value-added bioproducts via thermochemical conversion.
- Assess biomass feedstocks of interest for creating bioproducts.
- Evaluate the created biofuels and bioproducts, with the overarching goal of developing technologies for advancing the bioeconomy.
The Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, located in Crothers Engineering Hall, contains an open-channel/wave mechanics flume, a pipe circuit apparatus, a portable tilting flume and a hydraulic bench with several devices to demonstrate the principles of energy, momentum and other flow phenomena. There is also a small teaching laboratory on the second floor.
The Image Processing Lab focuses on satellite radiometry of Landsat and other satellite systems. Radiometric calibration of satellites involves characterization and correction of systematic degradations affecting imagery, allowing users to extract more information from remotely sensed data.
The J. Lohr Structures Laboratory, covering 4,000 square feet, is a high-bay, strong-floor structural testing facility configured to accommodate large- and full-scale test specimens in the fields of structural engineering, mechanical engineering and materials.
The Materials Evaluation and Testing Lab (METLAB) focuses on research, analysis and development of materials, testing equipment and techniques. The lab's research reaches beyond SDSU to the state of South Dakota and the upper Midwest.
The Micro-Nano Materials and Fabrication Labs include over 1,500 square feet of clean-room space rated from class 10,000 to class 100. These facilities are used for the fabrication of nanosensors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), surface acoustic wave (SAW) microsensors and piezoelectric sensors.
The Organic Electronics Lab is equipped with facilities for material synthesis and device fabrication. Work in this lab focuses on the development of organic semiconductors and their applications in organic photovoltaic cells and other related devices.
The Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Lab, located in Solberg Hall, focuses on the needs of immersive visualization in Architecture, Construction Management and Civil Engineering for both teaching and research. The lab is equipped with several high-performance workstations and laptop computers and a variety of the latest Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) devices to create, process and visualize 3D models.
Additional engineering research laboratories are listed below:
Bituminous Lab, Concrete Lab, Dynamic Systems Lab, Geotechnical Engineering Lab, HDR Environmental Lab, Measurement and Instrumentation Lab, Midcontinent Communications Fiber Optics Lab, Structural Materials Lab and Thermo-fluids Lab.
The Center for Power System Studies (CPSS), an established center at SDSU since 1968, facilitates the interaction of industry, students, and faculty through a process that benefits electrical service providers and contributes to continued economic development.
The Water and Environmental Engineering Research Center conducts education, outreach and research activities that focus on engineering solutions to water resources and environmental problems. These projects often involve collaboration with other SDSU departments or off-campus units.
South Dakota LTAP - The South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program (SDLTAP) translates the latest highway and bridge technology into understandable terms for local government entities throughout the state. In linking transportation technology and local government, SDLTAP keeps local government officials informed about new publications, techniques and training opportunities that may benefit their communities.
Engineering Extension - The mission of the SDSU Engineering Extension is to effectively implement the requirements of the Federal OSHA Consultation Program grant which is designed to assist private sector small and medium-sized employers with safety and health program assessments.
SDSU faculty are currently working collaboratively with the Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment at the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL). Engineering support is provided for the Center for Ultralow Background Experiments at DUSEL (CUBED), including purification techniques for germanium crystals such as zone refining. Virtual DUSEL is a collaborative effort between Dakota State University and South Dakota State University and is part of the Sanford Center for Science Education.
The Mountain-Plains Consortium is a regional effort to conduct research and training on transportation infrastructure and the movement of passengers and freight. SDSU is one of five universities in the Consortium.
The South Dakota Space Grant Consortium (SDSGC), which was started in 1991, seeks to expand education, research and public service in the fields of aerospace, earth and space science. Institutional membership in the SDSGC comprises SDSU, South Dakota Mines, Augustana University, the EROS Data Center, the South Dakota Discovery Center and numerous other affiliates.
The South Dakota Water Resource Institute, a federal-state partnership, provides leadership in coordinating research and training on water resources in South Dakota. The Institute focuses on resolving state and regional water problems through research, technology transfer and application.
