Purdue News

September 25, 1998 Purdue research lab to celebrate 40-year anniversary WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Ever wondered how the muffler on your car works? Or how your air conditioner affects the ozone layer? Or why some noises are more annoying than others? You can get answers to these and other questions about noise and air conditioning, heating, ventilation and refrigeration systems during an open house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories at Purdue University. The facility is on South Intramural Drive. During the past four decades, Herrick Labs has grown into an international center for graduate education and engineering research in the areas of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, as well as noise and vibration control. The open house will include tours of the research labs and demonstrations of current research projects, including car seat vibrations, aerodynamic noise, a reverberation room and a robotic arm. Other events to celebrate the lab's 40th anniversary include a banquet on Oct. 2 and alumni activities on Saturday, Oct. 3. The facility was established in the 1950s for industry-sponsored research and graduate student education. William E. Fontaine, a professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue at the time, proposed the idea for a laboratory that would do high-quality research for non-aerospace companies, would involve engineering students in the research, and would encourage the students to pursue careers in industry. The laboratory was established with a grant from Michigan industrialist and philanthropist Ray W. Herrick. Today, the Herrick Laboratories has 20 faculty members involved with research and teaching. About six undergraduates and 50 to 60 graduate students work with faculty members and company representatives each year on a variety of real-world engineering problems brought to them by various industrial sponsors. More than 530 students have received their graduate degrees by working at the laboratories, with more than 100 U.S. companies, 15 international companies and 15 government agencies sponsoring research. A large percentage of Herrick Labs graduates are either working with the companies that sponsored their research, a closely related company, or are researchers at other universities. CONTACT: Robert J. Bernhard, director, Herrick Laboratories, (765) 494-2141 Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page