RESEARCH

Our Best Projects

Research Grants (awarded)

  1. Collaborative research: mechanistic study of mesoporous carbon formation from food waste, NSF, $245,000 July 2023 – June 2026 (PI)
  2. Scalable, high energy density lithium-sulfur batteries (SD-LSB), NASA EPSCoR, $1,125,000, August 2023 – July 2026 (Co-PI)
  3. Energy-Efficient Extreme Winter Greenhouse for Urban Farms in Rapid City, SD, USDA/SBIR, Shende LLC, June 2023 – March 2024, $33,000 (Co-PI)
  4. Pilot scale biochemical and hydrothermal integrated biorefinery for cost-effective production of fuels and value-added products, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)/BETO, $2,317,995, February 2018 – June 2024 (PI)
  5. Rapid Response On-chip Sensors for Food Production and ECLSS Monitoring at International Space Station, $92,000, NASA, January 2018 – September 2018 (PI).
  6. Hydrothermal liquefaction testing of biomass, Department of Energy/Idaho National Lab, Battelle Energy Alliance, $21,324, Feb 2017—Sep 2017 (PI)
  7. Synthesis and powder processing of ferrite materials for the fabrication of toroidal cores, Wurth Electronics Midcom Inc. $9,700 Aug. 2016—May 2017 (PI)
  8. Hydrothermal liquefaction testing of biomass, Department of Energy/Idaho National Lab, Battelle Energy Alliance, $5,724, Jan 2016—Aug 2016 (PI)
  9. Synthesis and powder processing of ferrite materials for the fabrication of toroidal cores, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, $22,500, Jan 2016—May 2017 (PI).
  10. Advanced bioelectrochemical module for waste-to-electricity generation during long-term space exploration, NASA EPSCoR, $70,000 Jan 2014 – Dec 2015 (Co-PI).
  11. Advanced Bioelectrochemical Module (BEM) for Waste-to-Electricity Generation during Long-term Space Exploration, $1,124,991, NASA EPSCoR, Sept 1 2016—Aug 31, 2019 (Co-PI).
  12. Thermally Stable Complex Redox Materials for Hydrogen Generation in Thermochemical Water-Splitting Process, National Science Foundation, $299,975, Sep. 1, 2011 – Aug. 31, 2015 (PI).
  13. Solid Waste to Diesel (BEAR-EST), US AFCEC, $980,390 Oct 2014 to Sept 2017 (PI) total funding $4,800,000 (4 years)
  14. Development of a laboratory scale solid waste pyrolysis system for fuel savings and energy recovery, Universal Technology Corporation, $357,752 (PI) 5 years
  15. Biological conversion of waste to energy (BEAR-EST) US AFCEC, $753,911 Sep 2014 to Aug 2017 (Co-PI)
  16. PANS IRG: Catalysis, National Science Foundation/EPSCoR, $271,507, 02/01/2012 – 07/31/2013 (coordinator for SDSMT, 1 student support) (senior personnel)
  17. PANS IRG: Catalysis, National Science Foundation/EPSCoR, $252,724, 08/22/2013- 06/30/2014 coordinator for SDSMT, 1 student support (senior personnel)
  18. Establishment of the SD catalysis group at USD and SDSM&T – addressing basic research needs for solar energy utilization, Department of Energy/University of South Dakota, subcontracted to SDSM&T, $354,264, Jan 2012 – Dec 2012. (Co-PI).
  19. Bio-Oil, Hydrogen, and Hydrocarbon from Biomass, US AFCEC Tyndall AFB, $191,343, Dec. 2010— Dec. 2011 (Lead Investigator).
  20. MRI-R2 Acquisition of a Thin-Film Deposition Glove Box System for Organics and Electronics, National Science Foundation, $163,438, July 2010—June 2011 (Co-PI).
  21. Multifunctional Energetic Materials, US Department of Defense, Armament Research, Development & Engineering Center (ARDEC), $220,850, Jan 1, 2010 – Dec. 31, 2010 (CO-PI).
  22. Acquisition of a Modern Transmission Electron Microscope for Research and Training in South Dakota, National Science Foundation, $699,000, Sep 2009 (Co-PI).
  23. Synthesis of Ordered Mesoporous TiO2 for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) and Photocatalytic Water Splitting Applications, National Science Foundation EPSCoR RII PANS subaward, $21,000, July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009 (PI).
  24. On-Chip Biosensor for Rapid Detection and Identification of Explosive Materials, Nelson Research Grant, $5,000, July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010 (PI).
  25. Establishment of the South Dakota Catalysis Group at the University of South Dakota, Department of Energy/USD, Subcontract, $403,722, Sep 2009 to Sep 2011 (Co-PI).
  26. Novel Redox Materials for Hydrogen Generation by High Temperature Water Splitting, National Science Foundation, $299,948, June 2008-May 2011 (Co-PI).
  27. Investigation of advanced materials and novel processing technology for potential use with department of defense (DoD) weapon systems, US Army ARDEC, 2006 (1 year), $1,600,000 (contribution: 23%) (Co-PI)
  28. Investigation of advanced materials and novel processing technology for potential use with department of defense (DoD) weapon systems, US Army ARDEC, 2006 (5 years), $10,000,000 (contribution: 5%) (Co-PI).
  29. Novel nanoenergetic materials: Applications and MEMS devices, US Army ARDEC, Nov. 2006 (1 year), $350,000 (Co-PI).
  30. Novel nanoenergetic materials: Applications and MEMS devices, Picatinny US Army ARDEC, 2006 (1 year), Co-PI: $100,000 (contribution: 23%).
  31. Tunable super thermites, US DoD SBIR Phase I, 2006, $32,000 (Co-PI).
  32. MEMS-based system for shockwave generation without detonation, Office of Naval Research 2005 (1 year), Co-PI – $199,702 (contribution: 10%).
  33. Nanoengineered energetic materials, Picatinny US Army ARDEC, 2005 (1 year) Co-PI: $100,000 (contribution: 10%).
  34. Novel non-oxidative tooth whiteners for dentifrice application, The Procter & Gamble Company, 2004 (6 months), PI: $50,000 (contribution: 100%).
  35. Novel non-oxidative tooth whiteners for dentifrice application, The Procter & Gamble Company, 2003 (6 months), PI: $50,000 (contribution: 100%).
  36. Experimental Studies on Binder Removal, Honeywell FMT 2003 (6 months), Co-PI: $34,999 (contribution: 22%).