UND engineering school receives major defense grant to improve equipment surface technologies

The School of Engineering and Mines has received a $2.8 million federal grant for a major new defense technology project in partnership with Alion Science and Technology Corp., a defense research and development company headquartered in McLean, Va.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, secured the funds as part of the Defense Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2005.

The project will develop state-of-the-art surface engineering technologies to increase the life and reliability of precision parts used in the engines, transmissions, and drive systems of U.S. Army helicopters and vehicles.

These technologies include super-finishing (applying an advanced lubricant film to prevent metal-on-metal contact), impact coating (applying super-hard steel coatings by thermal spraying), nanotechnology coatings (producing extremely tiny structures in coatings using lasers), and laser cladding (using lasers to fuse protective materials or alloys onto a metal surface).

Recent advances in manufacturing technology, such as those being developed by Alion, make it possible to extend the service life of precision parts by 100 to 300 percent, saving taxpayer dollars and improving readiness. UND’s School of Engineering and Mines will conduct the applied research in Grand Forks. As the project advances, several North Dakota companies will also participate as subcontractors.

“North Dakota has demonstrated that it is a great place to do the kind of complex research involved with this defense project,” said Alion Science and Technology Senior Vice President Barry Watson. “We’re excited to be part of the future of UND and the Red River Valley Research Corridor, and look forward to working closely with North Dakota companies to develop technologies that will help our nation.”