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The Oakland Press
December 9, 2007
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Emily Prawdzik Genoff
Staff Writer |
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Lawrence Tech Receives $1M for Testing Chamber
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Lawrence Technological University has received a $1 million federal appropriation to build an environmental chamber for testing vehicle components for the military.
Nabil Grace, chairman of the civil engineering department and a distinguished professor at Lawrence Tech, said the chamber can test three different components.
“The first one is a fire chamber, meaning we can simulate something similar to Sept. 11 with fires up to 2,300 degrees,” Grace said. “It’s large enough to accommodate a Humvee.
“The second part is a large-scale environmental chamber, which would simulate any kind of environmental condition whether it’s Siberian weather or Iraqi weather.”
The building’s third capability is the testing of a 20-foot-by-100-foot bridge system. The chamber is the latest addition to Lawrence Tech’s Center for Innovative Materials Research. Funds will allow for testing of innovative composite materials for lightweight armor to strengthen vehicles and structures. “We have a lot of students involved in the project,” Grace said. “Testing is going on around the clock.” U.S. Rep. Sander Levin announced the grant. “Innovative materials are playing a growing role in the development of military technologies that protect our troops in the field,” Levin said in a statement.
“It is important to develop these cutting-edge technologies here in Michigan because of our strong roots in research and development.” Grace said he believes the university’s reputation helped secure the grant.
“It’s very simple. We have the track record of developing and strengthening new individual materials,” Grace said. “Rather than just sitting in a classroom and watching the blackboard, students will be physically learning from on-hand experiences right in front of them.
“It gives them the competitive edge American students need,” Grace said. “When they graduate, they will be hitting the ground and running.”
Grace said the chamber is 75 percent complete and will be completed by summer 2008.
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To Contact Congressman Levin: -
Email Congressman Levin In Michigan: 27085 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, MI 48066 | (586) 498-7122 | (248) 968-2025
In Washington: 1236 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 | (202) 225-4961
