Research

A major goal of the ASGC has been to build upon the effective space research infrastructure that is a distinctive characteristic of North Alabama and to expand it throughout the state. ASGC research infrastructure projects have included support for student-designed and built experiments such as a space shuttle Get Away Special Canister (GAS-Can), the KC-135 microgravity experiments at JSC, the consortium's EPSCoR program, protein crystal growth experiments on the shuttle, rockets and satellites designed and flown by students, participation in NASA's reusable rocket design, and a Joint University-Industry Research Program (JUIRP) designed to spur high-tech industry by encouraging businesses to work with the state's research universities. Undergraduate research is also supported by the ASGC in with summer research opportunities on 5 campuses.


Joint University/Industry Research Program

The Joint University/Industry Research Program (JUIRP) stimulates joint research efforts by awarding seed funds of up to $10,000 to a university researcher who collaborates with an industrial partner. The seed funds must be matched with university and/or industry dollars or an in-kind match. The program brings researchers at Alabama's seven research universities together with industrial researchers/technologists in R&D projects with significant economic development potential. This has the double advantage of introducing top university scientists and engineers to real industry problems, while it promotes access of the state's industries to the high-tech, high-cost facilities which we have in our research universities. The program encourages private industry to look at university research facilities as a resource, and promote collaboration between university researchers and industry. Currently funded are projects at Auburn, UAH and The University of Alabama.

1994-2002 JUIRP awards

JUIRP application


Research Experience for Undergraduates

The object of this program is to provide state of the art research facilities to undergraduate students. Research projects, which are simple to comprehend, have some short term achievable milestones but at the same time have long term scientific and have technological implications are matched to students interests. Teaming arrangements with faculty and graduate students, research paper writing, poster and oral presentations, and scientific communications training seminars help students to see the "big picture" of what it takes to develop into an "independent scientist" with critical skills needed for analyzing, interpreting and presenting scientific data. Students currently are recruited and compete for spots at Auburn, USA, Tuskegee, Alabama A&M, UAH and UAB.


KC-135 Microgravity Flights

Students from engineering and science departments are provided a unique experience to propose, design, fabricate, fly and assess an experiment in a reduced gravity environment. Experiments selected are tested at JSC on their KC-135 aircraft. Students learn how to counter the effects of weightlessness in various scientific research projects. ASGC co-sponsors awarded experiments so students may experience the entire research project. from start to finish. Recent projects have been funded for Alabama, Auburn, and UAH.


Geospatial Research [website]

Auburn University's Geospatial interests deal with:


Moisture models are being validated using ground data. The models all rely on vegetation indices and surface temperature as measured from space using thermal bands. They have started using MODIS data that turn out to be much better than AVHRR data sets.


Geospatial Extension Specialist Activities at Auburn

Dr. Paul Mask of the Auburn University Extension Service was named by NASA as an Earth Grant Geospatial Extension Specialist. In that role he trains extension agents to conduct training sessions to the agricultural community in new spatial technology that may be used by farmers, agri-businesses and the rural community.

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