Research at Purdue
The University allocates about $200 million a year in research with funds received from the state and federal governments, industry, foundations, and individual donors; more than 400 research laboratories on the West Lafayette Campus. Various offices or groups, some interdisciplinary, have been formed to do or promote research. Among the major ones are:
Agricultural Research Programs
Purpose> Conducts basic and applied research needed to assure a productive and efficient agricultural industry, preserve natural resources, and improve quality of rural life and welfare of consumers.
Nature of research> Research in natural resources, forestry resources, field and horticultural crop production, animal production, plant and animal biochemistry, food science, nutrition, marketing, product development, and quality of living. Nearly 400 individual research products in progress each year. Results communicated to the scientific community and to farmers and consumers through scientific publications, bulletins, public field days, and media.
Support> State and federal appropriations, federal grants, industrial funds, and gifts.
Location of work> Research conducted in laboratories of academic departments on campus, on farms near West Lafayette Campus, and at regional Purdue Agricultural centers throughout Indiana. The eight Purdue agricultural centers are:
Southeast Purdue Ag Center. Don Biehle, superintendent. Farm in Jennings County on region's typical, hard-to-manage, high-silt soils. Research includes row crop, forage, and forestry. Major study of drainage and water quality by agronomists and ag engineers.
Pinney-Purdue Ag Center. Jon Leuck, superintendent. Farm on the Porter-LaPorte county line, noted for distinct soil types: Runnymede loam, shallow muck, and Tracy sandy loam. Research conducted under dry land and irrigation on agronomic and vegetable crops.
Throckmorton-Purdue Ag Center. Jerry Fankhauser, superintendent. Eight miles south of Lafayette in Tippecanoe County, its rolling Raub silt loam soil used primarily for row crop research. Distinguished history of research in entomology, soil erosion, crop rotation, and tillage.
Feldun-Purdue Ag Center. Richard Huntrods, superintendent. In Lawrence County near Bedford, limestone quarry on farm helps support research projects. Research includes beef cattle, forestry, and row crops. Home of Indiana Beef Evaluation Program bull test station.
Davis-Purdue Ag Center. Jeff Boyer, superintendent. Emphasis on swine production research at center northeast of Muncie in Randolph County. Other research includes natural forest habitat area and agronomic crops.
Southern Indiana-Purdue Ag Center. Frank Potts, superintendent. Located in Dubois County near the Patoka Reservoir. Features research on the sandstone-shale derived soils of area; livestock, forage, and forestry research also conducted.
Southwest Indiana-Purdue Ag Center. Melborn Lang, superintendent. Site near Vincennes for research on fruits, vegetables, and agronomic crops. Development has included trickle and overhead irrigation systems. Scientist located on site.
Northeast-Purdue Ag Center. Phil Walker, superintendent. Land in Whitley County west of Fort Wayne acquired to meet research needs of the soils and climatic conditions of Northeastern Indiana.AIDS Research Center
Purpose> Coordinates AIDS research activities, sponsors AIDS discussion groups and related seminars including the annual Rural AIDS Center Research Symposium. The center focuses mostly on prevention methods. These efforts are part of the IU-Purdue Rural Center for the Promotion of HIV/STD Prevention. A major benefit of the collaborative approach is the combination of the strengths of two major universities to attack the AIDS problem. Studies include: 1) assessments of adolescent risk behaviors, 2) dissemination of educational materials for the prevention of STD, 3) development of peer-education materials, and 4) studies of the financial impact of new AIDS therapies on health care systems. The Rural Center publishes and disseminates information about AIDS in rural areas and prevention of HIV transmission.Aston Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry
Purpose> Housed in Department of Chemistry; provides outstanding facilities for organic mass spectrometry; established in 1967 through support of National Institutes of Health as a health-oriented research, training, and service facility; the research program is supported by the NSF and other public and private agencies.Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB)
Location> Room 142, Hansen Life Sciences Research Building.
Organization> Includes biochemists at Purdue who hold appointments in several departments; more than 60 participating faculty from the departments of Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology and Toxicoloy, Basic Medical Sciences, Veterinary Pathobiology, and Agronomy.
Purpose> Facilitates productive interactions among participating research personnel and administers a training program of graduate studies leading to the doctoral degree.Campuswide Mass Spectrometry Center
Purpose> Coordinates mass spectrometric capabilities on campus, including both service and methods development activities, to facilitate the application of mass spectrometry to a wide range of multidisciplinary research problems. Mass spectrometry is used for the structural identification of molecules through measurements of molecular and fragment ion chemistry. The Mass Spectrometry Center has instruments located in the departments of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy.Cancer Research Center
Location> Room 140, Hansen Life Sciences Research Building.
Purpose> The center at Purdue is one of 56 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the nation and one of 11 doing cancer research in the laboratory basic science area. It coordinates cancer research activities, sponsors cancer discussion groups and related seminars, and provides central research facilities, including animal resources, antibody production, a cell culture-cytotoxicity testing laboratory, DNA analysis, NMR facility, spectroscopic service, peptide synthesis facility, analytical cytology sorting service, and transgenic mouse facility. Broadly interdisciplinary, bringing together more than 90 faculty and research personnel from 11 departments on the West Lafayette Campus in schools of Agriculture, Consumer and Family Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine.Center for the Human-Animal Bond
Purpose> To expand knowledge of the interrelationships between people, animals, and their environment, and to communicate findings to scientists and the general public. Other objectives are to be a focal point of related idea exchanges and interdisciplinary research on campus, to better explain the psychological and physiological effects of bonding between people and animals, to study pet-facilitated therapy, to expand the concept of domestic and wildlife sentinels for environmental hazards, thus reducing use of lab animals, and to study the prevention of diseases transmitted between humans and animals.Center for Biomolecular NMR, Structure, and Design
Purpose> Housed in the Department of Chemistry; carries out core research development of prototype instrumentation and experiments for new applications of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to biomolecular research.Center for Democratic Citizenship
Location> Room 4115, Liberal Arts and Education Building.
Purpose> To assume a national leadership role in preparing new generations of American citizens. Focuses on providing programs, institutes, activities, and resources for educators to implement more powerful citizenship programs and opportunities that result in active student involvement in schools and communities.Center for International Business Education and Research
Location> Room 447, Krannert Building.
Purpose> Sponsors research, teaching, and outreach programs in all aspects of international trade and commerce. Program activities are designed to stimulate international research with immediate relevance to competition within the global environment, to educate managers on ways to take advantage of the challenges and opportunities that exist in global markets, and to internationalize the curriculum to motivate students to think globally through management course development and business language courses. Research results and information are provided through business symposia, newsletters, working papers, and consultation.Center for the Management of Manufacturing Enterprises
Location> Room 419, Krannert Building.
Purpose> Conducts research in manufacturing management to develop an awareness and understanding of the challenges facing managers in contemporary manufacturing. Develops executive education programs in statistical process control, new product development, project management, supply chain management, and design of experiments. Working paper series available. Works closely with manufacturing companies in developing research projects and student internships. Facilities include Chrysler Corporation Fund Manufacturing Management Computer Laboratory utilizing state-of-the-art manufacturing planning and control system software and planning systems. Undergraduate manufacturing management minor available through the Krannert School of Management's bachelor of science in industrial management program. Master's degree option in manufacturing technology management available through the Krannert Graduate School of Management professional master's programs.Center for Paralysis Research
Location> Main Office, Room 114, Veterinary Center for Paralysis Research Building.
Purpose> Researches electrical stimulation resulting in spinal cord repair, use of intrathecal chemotherapy, neuro-transplantation techniques, and studies of embryonic pattern formation. Clinical programs work in partnership with pet owners of paraplegic dogs. Involves both basic researchers and veterinary surgeons, neurologists, radiologists, and urologists. Collaborations include active research with colleagues in human medicine to move promising techniques to clinical tests in human spinal cord injury.Center for Tax Policy Studies
Location> Room 490, Krannert Building.
Purpose> Researches tax/budget policy issues affecting the long-run economic future of the United States, Indiana, and the Great Lakes region; provides analysis and expertise on taxation and related budget issues to governments, firms, and the public. Current research topics include the effects of tax incentives on investment and industrial location; interstate and interregional tax comparisons; and property tax reform. Disseminates results of its research through conferences, testimony, and publication of working papers and journal articles.Centers for Excellence
Purpose> Encourages and facilitates the School of Technology's outreach to business and industry in the forming of partnerships for studies, application research projects, education and training programs, and other technology transfer activities.Engineering Experiment Station
The Experiment Station is related to all research activities and maintains industrial relations. Research is conducted within each of the Schools of Engineering and in interdisciplinary (interschool) centers and laboratories coordinated by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies. Several of these major activities are as follows:
Automotive Transportation Center> This center conducts research on a wide variety of automotive problems, interdisciplinary policy analysis, and alternative energy sources.
Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS)> CINDAS evaluates, analyzes, correlates, and synthesizes comprehensively compiled data and information on the thermophysical, thermoradiative, mechanical, electronic, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of materials; generates critically evaluated reliable data; recommends standard reference data; conducts basic and applied research; develops computerized on-line and PC-based databases on materials properties; responds to technical inquiries; and disseminates information on materials properties worldwide.
Coating Applications Research Laboratory (CARL)> CARL provides industry with facilities and technical assistance in evaluating new coatings and coating processes that meet environmental regulations while maintaining product quality and cost.
Coal Research Center> The center integrates Purdue coal research and education programs with industry and government efforts to solve technical, environmental, and policy issues raised by renewed interest in America's coal resources.
Computer Integrated Design, Manufacturing, and Automation Center (CIDMAC)> CIDMAC is a cooperative effort with industry to conduct an interdisciplinary study of design and manufacturing to significantly increase industrial manufacturing productivity. Its integrated research program involves computer-aided design, robots and automation, computer aided-manufacturing, and the management of manufacturing processes.
Engineering Research Center for Collaborative Manufacturing> A cross-disciplinary, NSF-sponsored research and educational center established to study and develop engineering tools and methods that will foster collaborative manufacturing among industries, universities, and government laboratories. Considerations include integrated product and process development, flexible manufacturing distributed over networks, teamwork among geographically and organizationally distributed units, high-technology support, and multidisciplinary and multiple objectives.
Ray W. Herrick Laboratories> These graduate research laboratories conduct research programs sponsored primarily by industry. Under the direction of the School of Mechanical Engineering, many projects relate to noise and vibration control, energy conservation, and building energy systems.
Highway Extension and Research Project for Indiana Counties and Cities (HERPICC)> The unit serves as an information resource on all aspects of local roads and streets to counties, cities, and towns in Indiana. Located within the School of Civil Engineering, with funds provided by the state of Indiana and the Federal Highway Administration, HERPICC assists local highway and street organizations through technology transfer activities complemented by research.
Hillenbrand Biomedical Engineering Center> This interdisciplinary center provides a focus for research on medical devices, biomaterials, and other topics requiring collaboration between engineering and the biological sciences.
Joint Highway Research Project> Operated by the School of Civil Engineering and sponsored jointly by the Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue, project members research highway problems, educate professionals in highway engineering fundamentals, and provide extension services.
Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering (LORRE)> Created in response to the growing problems of fuel shortage, waste recycling, and food supply, LORRE concentrates on means for converting renewable resources to liquid fuels, chemical feed stocks, and food sources.
Space Systems Control Laboratory> The laboratory provides new concepts of space systems that focus on minimal mass and maximal control. Besides developing control concepts, analytical and diagnostic techniques, and computer designs for space systems, it is capable of rapid integration of diagnostic and analytical tools to analyze system dynamics and to redesign space systems in flight.
State Utility Forecasting Group> The group develops and keeps current a methodology for forecasting the probable future growth of the use of electricity within Indiana and within this region of the nation.
Thermal Sciences and Propulsion Center> The principal research focuses on thermofluid systems such as turbomachines and gas turbine engines. This includes analytical and experimental work in fluid mechanics, gas dynamics, and combustion; under the School of Mechanical Engineering.Indiana Clean Manufacturing Technology and Safe Materials Institute
Location> 2655 Yeager Road, Suite 103-C, West Lafayette.
Purpose> The program is within the School of Civil Engineering. It is the state's focal organization for promoting pollution prevention and coordinating the deployment of technical assistance, research, education, and planning services to facilitate the adoption of pollution prevention strategies by Indiana manufacturing facilities. Functions include providing on-site process engineering technical assistance to Indiana manufacturers, training, and certifying pollution prevention auditors, preparing and distributing a pollution prevention technical assistance manual, supporting scientific research to promote production process modifications and use of less toxic raw material inputs to production, development methods to measure pollution prevention progress at the facility and corporate level, conducting analyses of economic and policy incentives to prompt the adoption of pollution prevention.Neuroscience Program
Location> Room B153, Psychological Sciences Building.
Purpose> Interdepartmental program to facilitate graduate studies, teaching, and research in the various disciplines that constitute neurosciences. The program includes more than 40 faculty members plus graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from 11 academic departments engaged in neuroscience research.Plant Biology Program
Location> Horticulture Building, Room 207C, administrative office.
Purpose> The Purdue Plant Biology Program (PBP) provides a graduate student recruitment program and rigorous curriculum for Ph.D. students in plant cellular and developmental biology; plant physiology; plant biochemistry and molecular biology; and plant ecology, evolution, and systematics.
Organization> PBP membership includes nearly 50 plant physiologists from the departments of Agronomy, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Botany and Plant Pathology, Chemistry, Horticulture, and Medicinal Chemistry and Medical Pharmacognosy. They teach courses in the PUPP curriculum and examine, advise, and train graduate students.Purdue Rare Isotope Measurement Laboratory (PRIME Lab)
Location> A two-story building below the Purdue Mall. Access from Physics Building, Room 8A.
Purpose> Conducts research and training using the 8-million-volt FN Tandem Van de Graaff accelerator as part of an ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer. Accelerator mass spectrometry uses rare radionuclides such as 10Be, 14C, and 36Cl to measure the age of geologic and planetary samples and to monitor tracers in geologic and biological systems. The National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and W.M. Keck Foundation have provided funding to upgrade PRIME Lab and make it a national facility for accelerator mass spectrometry.
Organization> Interdisciplinary research involves 15 faculty members from the departments of Physics, Chemistry, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Agronomy, Pharmacy, and Foods and Nutrition. PRIME Lab staff includes five faculty members, seven professional staff, four technicians, three chemists, nine graduate students, and 10 undergraduate assistants.Purdue Research Foundation
Incorporated> 1930.
Purpose> The support of research and scholarly activities of the University faculty and graduate students; fund-raising for the development of the University; and the support of other programs that will assist the University and attract a highly competent University faculty. As a separately incorporated foundation, PRF can function to attain these University-oriented objectives in ways not clearly within the province of the University trustees as defined by state and federal laws.Sponsored Program Services
Purpose> Has a number of missions relating to the overall University research program. These include assisting the faculty in making contacts with potential research sponsors, negotiating research agreements with industrial sponsors, and administering the University patent and copyright policies. In general, it acts for the Purdue Research Foundation and the University regarding sponsored research amounting to more than $135 million in 1996-97. It serves the University in regard to such instruction programs as fellowships, training grants, institutes, curriculum development projects, equipment grants, and institutional assistance grants.