One of the goals UMR Chancellor John F. Carney III set when he arrived last fall called for increasing research to help propel UMR into the ranks of the top technological universities in the nation. So far, the campus is right on track.

“Last year our total proposals awarded were worth $32 million, which is up 12.9 percent from fiscal year 2005,” says Wayne Huebner, CerE’82, PhD CerE’87, vice provost for research at UMR.

Since 2000, UMR has seen a 106 percent increase in federal engineering and science research and development expenditures. Also during that period, UMR’s industry-sponsored research increased 156 percent.

This year, UMR will receive $8.2 million in federal funding. A few of the projects include:

• Remote detection and neutralization of electronically triggered improvised explosive devices (IEDs)./li>
• A millimeter wave non-destructive inspection method for imaging the external tank foam insulation and the acreage heat tiles of the space shuttle./li>
• A joint project with University of Missouri-Kansas City to develop advanced biomaterials, biosensors and biointerfaces for repair and regeneration of traumatized bone and tissues./li>
• Environmentally sound coatings for military F-15 aircraft.