The Texas A&M University System is building an innovation complex like no other in the United States. It will be a prime high-tech prototyping center for the U.S. Army, and a hub for collaborative research, testing, evaluation and development of new hardware, components and systems.
Cutting Edge Complex Features Hypersonic Tube and Proving Ground
The Innovation Proving Ground will be an outdoor test site for a wide range of experiments. The emphasis initially is expected to be on autonomous aerial, ground and subterranean vehicles and the variety of systems, equipment and instruments needed to operate them in battlefield-like conditions.
Hypersonics: Advancing Aerodynamics for Accuracy
Moving at hypersonic speed—five times faster than the speed of sound—comes with a variety of challenges. Researchers at Texas A&M will be addressing these challenges through a combination of sophisticated mathematical computer modeling and cutting-edge experimentation to accurately predict maneuverability and survivability.
Early soldier input is key
To move technology into the marketplace faster, Texas A&M is testing a process called “Agile Technology Development.” Based on principles used extensively in the software industry, the Agile approach is intended to discover and nurture new technologies quickly, bringing various products to the prototyping stage.
Adaptive Optics
Texas A&M University is taking a lead role in laser research through its agreement with Army Futures Command. Texas A&M engineers are trying to create a new method for dealing with the refraction of lasers as they race through the atmosphere.
Materials for Extreme Environments
The scorching heat caused by speeds exceeding Mach 5 radically alters how different materials tolerate collision. Texas A&M, through its partnership with Army Futures Command, is working to mitigate damage from extreme speed blasts and shock waves.
Smarter Combat Vehicles = Safer Soldiers
Today’s warriors expect to go into battle with reliable communications systems, but that can be a problem in harsh environments. To address these challenges, Texas A&M is opening an outdoor testing site for U.S. researchers to test communications systems in a battlefield setting.
George H.W. Bush Namesake for the Bush Combat Development Complex
The Bush family has a deep love of Texas A&M and the state of Texas. That’s why Texas A&M is the home of President George H.W. Bush’s presidential library and museum, and the world-renowned Bush School of Government and Public Service, named in his honor.
Letter from the Vice Chancellor of Engineering and National Laboratories
Dr. M. Katherine Banks shares her thoughts on the innovation and research being conducted at the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex and how The Texas A&M University System is uniquely positioned to be a leader in providing technologies for the country’s national defense needs.
In the News
The Bush Combat Development Complex recently hosted events demonstrating Texas A&M System researchers’ advancements in land and air autonomous vehicles. State and national government officials also continue to express their excitement and support for the BCDC and its role in helping the Army advance its goals of modernization.
From the desk of M. Katherine Banks
I am pleased to present this edition of Texas A&M Engineer, which provides a snapshot of the outstanding research conducted by our faculty and students, and highlights the significant investments Texas A&M Engineering has made in research and educational facilities.
Impacting infrastructure
Multidisciplinary researchers tackle civil infrastructure issues from the state to global level in the Center for Infrastructure Renewal.
Paving the way for safe, innovative bridges
Prestressed concrete bridge research is helping to further the potential for precast, prestressed concrete bridge systems, which allow bridge components to be fabricated off-site and then constructed on-site. This ensures that the bridges are not only built more quickly, but with greater efficiency and higher quality. The method is also cost-effective for taxpayers.
Enhancing campus navigation with self-driving shuttles
A new initiative in this project is to study passengers’ emotions while in the vehicle, a project Dr. Srikanth Saripalli is working on with Dr. James E. Hubbard Jr. from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The goal is to monitor a passenger’s stress levels by reading brainwaves and determining how best to communicate in order to help them feel more at ease.
Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR)
The Center for Infrastructure Renewal is a one-of-a-kind, 138,000-square-foot multidisciplinary research and training center designed to bring together researchers from universities, government and the private sector to tackle infrastructure problems and accelerate knowledge into practice.
Texas A&M hosts 2018 NAMRC
More than 700 researchers and manufacturers from 28 countries discussed innovations and developments in manufacturing, cyberphysical systems and materials processing in Texas A&M University’s Hall of Champions in June. This marked the first time in its 46 years that the North American Manufacturing Research Institution of SME’s North American Manufacturing Research Conference was held in Texas.
New preeminent scholars bring revolutionary research to Texas A&M
Preeminent Scholars Dr. M. Cynthia Hipwell and Dr. James Hubbard Jr. are bringing cutting-edge research to Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering.
Following the flow
Researchers are measuring velocities of atmospheric high-speed fluids to improve detection of hazardous gases, develop aircraft and more.
Aerospace engineering research facilities
Learn more about the various aerospace engineering research facilities.
Ensuring stockpile reliability
Keeping weapons functional is imperative to the U.S. goals of nuclear deterrence. Researchers are using predictive computational modeling to calculate the effects of time on nuclear weapons and their probabilities of success as they age.
National cybersecurity expert joins Texas A&M to lead cybersecurity initiative
Dr. Stephen Cambone discusses Texas A&M’s cybersecurity research and collaborations. Cambone served as the first U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Texas A&M Engineering is proud to be part of Triad National Security, LLC, recently awarded a $2.5 billion annual contract from the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration to operate Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Helping wounds heal with smart skin grafts
Patients need smarter skin grafts that facilitate healing and minimize infection, especially if they have chronic or slow-healing wounds.
Training new scientists to analyze aging weapons
Texas A&M is leading a new, multi-university center that will contribute to the understanding of materials science needed for the maintenance of the United States’ nuclear deterrent. The center will also train the next generation of scientists and engineers who will ensure the safety, security and effectiveness of the nuclear weapons stockpile.
HPE donation enables new advanced materials and photonics research
Equipment donated by Hewlett Packard Enterprise will give Texas A&M researchers the chance to develop next-generation technologies across several disciplines.
Unearthing new oil recovery methods
One Texas A&M team’s research has the potential to enable operators of thousands of existing fractured horizontal wells to increase oil production.
Research facts
A look at Texas A&M College of Engineering’s research activities and facilities.
Measuring water movement in soil from space
Understanding water movement in soil is critical for many earth science studies on a local to global scale. Dr. Binayak Mohanty and his Vadose Zone Research Group are leading efforts to describe root zone soil water flow mechanisms.
Reusing and repurposing wasted heat energy
A research group is working to find efficient solutions for reusing and repurposing wasted heat energy.
Improving predictive models and coastal resilience
Information gathered during hurricanes by the Texas COAstal Storm Rapid Response team, composed of researchers from Texas A&M University at College Station and Galveston, and Rice University, could help ensure better predictions of hurricanes’ impact and potential damage.
Understanding the backbone of bitcoin
Dr. Juan Garay is focused on understanding the fundamental properties of blockchain data structure and protocol. Blockchain serves as the core of the virtual currency bitcoin.
Using genomic data to understand disease response
Using signal processing and machine learning tools, Dr. Xiaoning Qian and his team are working to decipher which genes are critical to understanding and predicting disease progression and how genetic differences and environmental stress change the living system. These answers would help biologists develop new disease management practices.
Building a scaffold to heal bone defects
Dr. Melissa Grunlan is developing and testing a new shape-shifting foam designed to precisely fill and promote healing of bone defects.
Positioned to make regenerative medicine treatments possible
Before stem cell-based treatments can move from the lab to clinical use, many more cells are needed. Researchers are working on validating bioreactors, which can make large amounts of cells.
Linking gut microbiota to liver disease
Researchers with Texas A&M and Tufts University have found a high-fat diet significantly changes the composition and function of a person’s intestinal microbiota. They are examining ways to help control fatty liver disease.
The future of STEM education
Last summer, an interdisciplinary research team trained 12 Texas teachers in building automation, the internet of things, the engineering design process and additive manufacturing while providing STEM software, a 3D printer and internet of things measurement devices for their classrooms.
The Zachry Engineering Education Complex and E-Quad
Built for today’s student to enhance their overall learning experience through active, hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.