Research
Our strategic research niches
One of the College of Engineering’s greatest strengths is its extensive research programs. Our faculty research efforts have earned widespread recognition and brought millions of dollars of funding to the college. Beyond that, research provides our students with invaluable practical experience and the opportunity to work closely with mentoring professors.
Aerospace
Rocket science in the United States had its beginnings in New Mexico and NMSU will be leading its future with the only degree-granting aerospace program in the state. NMSU is involved in aerospace research with projects involving systems that monitor materials behavior, biomimetrics to understand the mechanisms that allow birds and fish to generate thrust, computer simulation of structural vibrations, nanosatellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, and the development of robotics to control aerospace vehicle maneuvers.
Energy
We are building on our expertise in fuel-cell technology, renewable resources and electric power systems engineering to address the growing nationwide demand for power. We are examining ways to develop alternative sources of energy and utilize traditional fossil resources to provide cost-effective, distributed electricity to our communities. Our newly established Institute for Energy and the Environment will give impetus to our efforts in energy and water research.
Telecommunications
The College of Engineering was selected to be the first Telemetering Center of Excellence in the United States in 1989, recognizing our leadership in the study of advanced communications systems and technologies. Current research includes the measurement of wireless networks on planetary surfaces, satellite communications, speech and video processing.
Transportation
We have fostered industry/university cooperative research for 35 years through our Bridge Research Center, working to improve the safety and performance of our nation’s bridges. This program fostered our world-renowned research in “smart bridge” technology that incorporates fiber optics to monitor bridge performance. Our research also extends to new technologies for improving highway safety, evaluation methods and performance.
Water
Our expertise in ensuring water quality and quantity crosses a number of disciplines that address local issues for our arid region but have world-wide application. Such research includes novel methods of desalinization and new methods to remove arsenic from drinking water at an affordable cost. Our goal is to combine innovation and technology to provide clean, affordable water today and in the future.