Research Laboratories

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Director: Dr. Uttam K. Chakravarty

The Aerodynamics and Vibrations Laboratory has the resources to conduct the wind-tunnel and vibration experiments. This wind tunnel has a sting-balance setup and a 3-D digital image correlation (VIC-3D High Speed) system. The sting balance setup has three-component force and moment balance, data acquisition and control (DAC), and model positioning systems. The wind tunnel with the sting-balance setup and the 3-D digital image correlation (VIC-3D High Speed) system is used for measuring the dynamic deformation and the aerodynamic coefficients (coefficients of lift, drag, and pitching moment) of the specimens during the wind-tunnel experiments. The vibration testing setup has a Data Physics Signal Force V20 Shaker System with the modal analysis capabilities. The laboratory also has the vacuum assisted resin infusion setup, that is used for manufacturing the composite, sandwich structures.

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director: Dr. Abdul Alsamman

The AIA Lab was established in 2020 from funding received from the Office of Naval Research. The lab is equipped with high-end high performance computing stations to support research in the next generation artificial intelligence systems that are augmented through human-in-the-loop feedback.

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Director: Dr. Damon Smith

The UNO Biomaterials and Additive Manufacturing Lab is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Manufacturing program. Research in the lab focuses on the development of additive manufacturing (3D printing) materials and processes that can be used for novel therapeutic and diagnostic applications in the field of biomedicine. Current projects include 3D printing of textured surfaces that reduce bacterial adhesion and incorporation of metal nanoparticles with controlled release of antimicrobial ions.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering/Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Director: Dr. Madeline Foster-Martinez

The Coastal Interactions Laboratory promotes sustainability through improved interactions between natural coastal processes and human infrastructure (i.e., nature-based solutions). Research focuses on wetland vegetation: how it interacts with flow, waves, and sediment, and how it can be leveraged to mitigate climate change and adapt to accelerated sea level rise. The lab is equipped with a wide array of field instruments for measuring hydrodynamic and sediment processes, as well as vegetation parameters. Funded by NSF, NASEM Gulf Research Program, and LA Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Director: Dr. Ting Wang

ECCC promotes innovative clean energy/power research and education by conducting fundamental thermal-flow science and applied power engineering research driven by real-world challenges with the emphases on increasing efficiency, reducing cost, improving reliability, and reducing emissions. Exemplary research topics include gas turbine systems, power plants, coal/biomass gasification, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), Micro Combined Cooling, Heating , and Power (Micro-CCHP), waste heat recovery, energy efficiency, thermal solar energy, water electrolysis, alternative fuels (hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia), and carbon capture. ECCC also provides services via workshops, short courses, energy audits, and infrared thermography analysis to advocate sustainable clean energy practices and energy conservation.

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Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Director: Dr. Satish Bastola

This lab is focused on applications of geospatial technologies, including remote sensing, GIS, and integrated modeling tools, to understand the issues driven by environmental change and their potential sustainable solutions (in coastal and terrestrial systems). In addition to modeling, research involves drones and soil moisture sensors for precision observations of environmental variables.

Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Director: Dr. Nikolas Xiros

The Efficient Green Energy Lab for the Maritime (EGELMAR) builds on existing expertise in ocean renewable energy including hydrokinetic and wind energy. The lab is currently undergoing expansion that will include a testbed and development center for R&D of hydrogen-fueled ship technologies. Support for the lab has been awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the H2theFuture coalition in South Louisiana.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering/Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Director: Dr. Robert Mahon

In this facility, we investigate the interactions between fluid dynamics, sediment transport, geomorphology, and engineered structures using river and coastal hydraulic models.

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director: Dr. X. Rong Li

The ISL is a lab for research of information and/or systems, such as processing of information, data, signal, and image in various systems. The systems involved include control, communication, computer, and power systems and networks. Typical examples of applications are target tracking, data fusion, signal detection, machine learning, and pattern recognition.

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Director: Dr. Paul Schilling

The laboratory has facilities for development of novel alloy systems through mechanical alloying and surface deposition methods. A suite of characterization tools includes metallographic processing and characterization, microhardness and nanoindentation testing, and X-ray characterization tools. Current and past research includes the development of metal coatings by electrospark processing, processing, structure and thermodynamics of metastable alloy systems, X-ray microtomography of damage in aerospace composites, and microstructural evaluation of stir-welded alloys.

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director: Dr. Parviz Rastgoufard

The Power & Energy Research Laboratory (PERL) research is focused on the modeling, simulation, analysis, and design of future electric utilities by integrating renewable sources of energy into the traditional grids. The state-of-the-art facilities are capable of near real-time study of the dynamics of energy systems. Predicting and preventing blackouts is an impactful tool for residential, commercial, and industrial users. The laboratory has been supported through a collaboration between the State of Louisiana, Entergy Corporation, and UNO since 2009. 

Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Director: Dr. Brandon Taravella

The Rapid Prototyping Lab is used to create and program alternative propulsion technologies applied to robotic watercraft.  This lab houses multiple 3D printers including an Object Eden 350, a Makerbot Replicator, a Prusa i3, and an Ender 5 S1.  In addition, there are multiple workbenches for assembly and programming of robotic watercraft.

Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Director: Dr. Lothar Birk

Thirty-five modern engineering workstations give students, staff and faculty access to specialized software packages which support all aspects of ship design. The selection of programs is guided by their usage in the US maritime industry. Computer aided design and 3D modeling enable the generation of hull geometries as well as general and structural arrangements. Numerical assessment of stability, calm water hydrodynamics and seakeeping provide guidance for the development of efficient offshore and transportation platforms. Software for global and local structural analysis ensures structural integrity and safety of designs. Several programming languages and program development tools further research into new design tools for the next generation of greener maritime transport and offshore exploration.
 

Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Director: Dr. Lothar Birk

The towing and wave tank is the largest experimental facility in the college. It enables students and researchers to investigate the hydrodynamics and interaction of ships, offshore structures, propulsion systems and other vessels with a marine environment. Drag forces are measured with scale models towed at tightly controlled speeds of up to 3m/s. An optical tracking system records motions of single and multi-body systems while a wave maker simulates wave environments including regular waves, irregular seas, and transient wave groups.

A particle image velocimetry (PIV) system is available for detailed three-dimensional flow measurements. The results of model tests are used to design and optimize marine vehicles and support the efforts towards greener marine transport and the development of alternative offshore energy.

Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Director: Dr. Vincent Yu

The lab is equipped with high-performance computers and state-of-the-art software that supports research, design, and simulations of offshore wind technology. This includes the design and analysis of fixed and floating offshore wind turbines.  The lab reflects our commitment to advancing offshore wind technology and addressing the world's energy challenges.