NSF-funded summer project offers research, casting experience to students.

Tennessee Tech University has received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for establishing a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site focusing on the metalcasting industry. The main aim of the REU site is to introduce undergraduate students to-research opportunities in the industrial applications of sensing, modeling and control.

The proposed project is complementary to two major research projects that are currently underway at Tennessee Tech Univ. in association with numerous industrial partners, including General Motors, Foseco Morval, Inc. and Metal Casting Technology, and in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

These projects present innovative approaches to introducing technologies for monitoring, modeling and control of traditional sand casting and lost foam casting. The proposed technologies enable better control over the casting processes resulting in reduced scrap rate and variance in the casting quality, as well as an increase in the productivity of metalcasting facilities.

Electrical, mechanical, chemical and industrial technology students will find a forum in which to exchange research ideas with their colleagues from within their field, as well as those in different disciplines. It also will help students identify applied high-tech research opportunities in a seemingly low-tech industry.

A nine-week summer program for undergraduate juniors and senior engineering majors will offer the opportunity to perform research guided by faculty and industry mentors and gain experience in a working metalcasting facility and a national lab (ORNL).