RESEARCH & INNOVATION NEWS
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NIAR develops novel overmolded thermoplastic production process for EVTOL applications | |
The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University has engineered an advanced thermoplastic rib structure, showcasing the potential of fully automated hybrid thermoforming and injection overmolding.
The program, led NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS) cuts production time from 100 hours to two minutes, marking a major breakthrough in aerospace manufacturing efficiency. By integrating two key polymer processing techniques, the process enables the production of high-performance, lightweight components with greater design flexibility and cost efficiency.
The development was part of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Manufacturing for Affordable Sustainable Composites program and was made possible through collaboration with industry leaders, including Joby Aviation, Toyota, KraussMaffei, Victrex and Prospect.
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Research and innovation on display from Wichita State University's faculty |
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Dr. Jens Kreinath preserves Turkey’s cultural memory following earthquakes | “This city where I spent so much time, knowing the corners and landscape — and then, to see that this is basically all erased is, of course, shocking and heartbreaking. I saw the scale of destruction, which was just horrendous. Whole neighborhoods were completely erased.” | |
Dr. Darren DeFrain receives $150,000 funding for comic accessibility app | With comic books or graphic novels, stories aren’t always told in a linear format. There are visual clues as to where the readers’ eyes should go next. With Vizling, users can drag their fingers across a device and visualize which way the story is set up. They can also touch different areas of the screen to find out what's on the screen. | |
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas gift $2.5 million to support Wichita Biomedical Campus, nursing scholarships | |
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) is investing $2.5 million in Wichita State University, with $1.8 million earmarked as the lead gift to the Wichita Biomedical Campus. The remaining $700,000 will create two endowed Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas nursing scholarships in the WSU College of Health Professions.
“Most of the biggest moments in our lives are tied to health care in some way,” said Matt All, president and CEO of BCBSKS. “The Wichita Biomedical Campus will help make those moments better for Kansans by training the health care workers of the future and empowering them with the best tools and research. We’re thrilled to be a part of making it happen.”
The $1.8 million gift will go toward the remaining $16 million project cost and will ensure that clinical space is included in the $222 million Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus construction. The inclusion of a clinic within the campus is an important element of providing applied learning for students while also increasing access to medical services.
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WSU faculty profile: Dr. Moriah Beck empowers students while advancing cardiac and cancer research | |
Dr. Moriah Beck's journey as a scientist is rooted in the belief that research is a powerful driver of innovation and personal transformation. For Beck, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Wichita State University, research is far more than an academic pursuit — it’s a way to connect with a global scientific community and spark change.
“Undergraduate research is really why I'm here as a professor,” Beck said.
Beck was recently honored by the Association for Women in Science with the Meridian Award. In her submission for the Meridian Award, Beck wrote: “Many count their publications or grant funds, but my most important career achievements are the 60-plus students that I have mentored in my research lab. Each individual requires my attention and time, but the reward of seeing their eyes light up when they encounter the joy in discovery is worth every minute.”
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Hear from WSU physicist on President Muma's Forward Together podcast | |
President Rick Muma sits down with Dr. Nick Solomey, professor of physics at Wichita State, to discuss his innovative research efforts with NASA — including the development of a neutrino detector that will orbit the Earth — and the other projects the Department of Physics is engaged in.
Click above to watch the video of the podcast. The podcast is also available on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts or Apple Podcasts (iTunes).
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WSU College of Engineering partners with Groover Labs to support regional innovation | |
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The College of Engineering at Wichita State University has partnered with Groover Labs, a nonprofit collaborative workspace, technology hub and rapid prototyping lab in Wichita, to support the regional business community. The collaboration aims to assist businesses in designing and building prototypes, testing proof-of-concept ideas and engaging in low-volume manufacturing.
As part of the initiative, the college’s Project Innovation Hub is expanding its scope to accept projects from companies and community organizations. The projects – which include design and machining of parts, analyzing manufacturing processes, engaging in product development with entrepreneurs and supporting research – are executed by Wichita State students under the guidance of Project Innovation Hub staff and college faculty. A notable example of their work includes more than 400 handrails designed, manufactured and installed in Charles Koch Arena on the Wichita State campus.
“The partnership between the college and Groover Labs underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening the regional economy through collaboration, creativity and education,” said Dr. Anthony Muscat, dean of the College of Engineering.
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Wichita Biomedical Campus construction proceeds through inclement weather | |
Last year, Wichita State, the University of Kansas and WSU Tech broke ground on the site of Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, a $300 million, 471,000-square-foot joint health sciences center, located at the southeast corner of Broadway and William.
Despite inclement weather throughout much of 2025 so far, work has continued to progress smoothly. Concrete flooring has started being poured, and the site has started going vertical with storm shelters being erected. Traffic around the site has been adjusted to accommodate the construction, but the perimeter now features the first Wichita Biomedical Campus branding. Watch along with a live view of its construction online.
The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a joint project between Wichita State and the University of Kansas. Once complete, the campus will combine WSU’s College of Health Professions programs, including the Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, WSU Tech’s health care program and the Wichita campuses of KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy.
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NIAR offers industry-focused training courses | |
The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) offers industry-focused training courses every year.
See below for some of the courses offered during the spring 2025 semester:
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Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing Concepts and Applications: March 3-6
- The course covers the principles, concepts and applications of GD&T in manufacturing. Topics include defining geometric tolerances, interpreting engineering drawings, understanding datum references and applying GD&T in manufacturing processes.
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Composite Structural Engineering Technology: March 10-April 20, April 21-June 1
- The course covers the essential topics pertaining to composites engineering and the certification process. Content provides students with an awareness of the composites engineering process framework through course materials and practical applications through online discussions.
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Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing Analysis: March 17-20
- Through analysis of GD&T, it's possible to reduce the cost and time it takes to manufacture. Simultaneously, it can ensure that manufactured parts meet the specified tolerance and functional requirements outlined on engineering drawings. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the ASME Y14.5-2018 standard and the calculation methods it illustrates.
Learn more about these trainings and NIAR at wichita.edu/niar.
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Research at Wichita State | | |
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With yearly funding topping $400 million, research at Wichita State ranges from bioscience, chemistry and engineering to mathematics, physics and ancient civilization.
Learn more at wichita.edu/research.
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Innovation at Wichita State | | |
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Innovation is more than just talk at WSU. It permeates everything we do, all we aspire to become and reaches far beyond our campus boundaries.
Learn more at wichita.edu/innovation.
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STUDENT CENTERED. INNOVATION DRIVEN. | |
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About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the United States and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing more than 120 acres, and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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