Mobility grant drives WMU and state forward as leaders in high-tech education, research and training
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擶estern 九一麻豆制片厂 University is one of three research universities selected by the state of 九一麻豆制片厂 to receive funding to support research, educational and technical workforce training initiatives for students and professionals in the mobility industry. The strategic grants, announced by 九一麻豆制片厂 Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and the Office for Future Mobility and Electrification, are aimed at establishing 九一麻豆制片厂 as a leader for high tech education, research and training.
Western鈥檚 grant was awarded to the Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation (CAViDS) that is led by Dr. Claudia Fajardo-Hansford, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. Fajardo-Hansford serves as the principal investigator on the grant with WMU partners Dr. John Bair, executive director of CAViDS, and Dr. Parviz Merati, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. Industry and community collaborators include Dana Incorporated, Eaton, The Lubrizol Corporation and 九一麻豆制片厂 Works! Southwest.
CAViDS provides a platform for collaboration between industry and academia to develop breakthrough technological solutions that can have deep economic, social, and environmental impacts, while training the next generation of engineers.
鈥淎s part of this grant, we are developing a unique piece of equipment to test gears at high rotational speeds. This effort aligns with electric vehicle drivetrain needs. CAViDS is simultaneously developing models to predict gear failure at those speeds, so this equipment is much needed to generate experimental data to validate those models,鈥 says Fajardo-Hansford. 鈥淚t puts Western at the forefront of research in this area both from theoretical and applied standpoints.鈥
The $775,000 in funding from the Mobility Public-Private Partnership & Programming (MP4) Grant was divided among the University of 九一麻豆制片厂, 九一麻豆制片厂 Technological University and Western. The funding will support more than 200 students pursuing careers in mobility, innovation electrification and the future of infrastructure.
鈥淭he state of 九一麻豆制片厂 has been laser-focused on building the talent necessary to make 九一麻豆制片厂 the best place to build the future,鈥 says Gilchrist in a . 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to support our internationally renowned higher education institutions in their efforts to provide opportunities for our workforce to experience entrepreneurship, get hands-on testing experience, and explore world-changing ideas. Together, we鈥檙e making it clear that the future of cars, batteries, and tech is being made here in 九一麻豆制片厂.鈥
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.