NSRI launches five investigative projects through IRAD funding
August 11, 2022
The National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska has funded five research projects focused on solving national security challenges.
Seed funding for the projects comes through the NSRI independent research and development (IRAD) program and totals more than $187,000. Four NSRI researchers together with nine researchers and several students from all four campuses of the University of Nebraska System are leveraging game theory, autonomous vehicle enhancements, falling film plasma reactors, drug development or nanofiber applications to attack complex challenges across the threat spectrum.
"I am always proud to see the enthusiasm of our university partners to apply their expertise to our mission space challenges," said Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director. "We are addressing a wide scope of threats through this year’s projects, and all have the potential to create solutions that directly support the objectives of our warfighters and Department of Defense decision makers."
2022 NSRI IRAD Projects & Research Teams
Nuclear deterrence theory for a multi-polar world
Dustin White, NSRI fellow and assistant professor of economics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Christopher Yeaw, NSRI associate executive director
Jacques Bou Abdo, NSRI fellow and assistant professor of cyber systems at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Autonomous repair and maintenance of spacecraft (ARMS)
Ada-Rhodes Short, assistant professor in the school of interdisciplinary informatics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Carl Nelson, NSRI fellow and professor of mechanical and materials engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
"Automating maintenance and repair of spacecraft means that humanity can reach farther into space, and it is a critical step to exploration, discovery, and eventual settlement."
Dr. Ada-Rhodes Short
Assistant Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Informatics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
"Being able to work with the warfighters to develop tools they put in their hands and use is extremely satisfying. I am excited to work with an interdisciplinary team from multiple locations across the country. This funding will allow us to generate preliminary data demonstrating that we can find therapeutic phage in the environment and rapidly formulate them into deployable products.”
Dr. Eric Carnes
NSRI Fellow & Associate Professor in Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
“The different expertise in this team enables the application of a theory-experiment approach to understanding the plasma-assisted destruction of a chemical warfare agent simulant. This complex process cannot be studied with either the experimental or theoretical approach alone. The inputs from the NSRI collaborator in this team are particularly invaluable. They guide the team’s focus on the important matrix of criteria for future DOD grant applications. “
Dr. Barry Cheung
Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
All projects support a research focus area of the institute, which is a DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). As a UARC and on behalf of the University of Nebraska, NSRI harnesses the intellectual capacity, facilities and technology of each of the NU campuses to address real-world national security challenges. The NSRI IRAD program was launched in 2021 to provide another venue for researchers to bring solutions forward for specific challenges. Eleven projects are now supported.
"It is exciting to see this initiative grow because we can see the foresight and creativity of our university researchers and students coming forward within the national security space," said Dr. Joshua Santarpia, NSRI science and technology advisor. "NSRI is here to provide that guidance and insights to the needs of the DOD, and, once again, another example of how the University of Nebraska has the capabilities and technology to respond."
Through the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska leading scientists deliver innovative national security research, technology, product and strategy development, training and exercises, and subject matter expertise to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. One of only 14 DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Centers in the country, NSRI is sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command and works to ensure the United States’ safety and preparedness against increasingly sophisticated threats. Read about our mission.
As the DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) of U.S. Strategic Command and the University of Nebraska System, the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) delivers solutions for strategic deterrence and CWMD mission requirements gaps. Our rapid-response capabilities and efficient contracting vehicle can help federal government program managers meet critical research and development needs. Connect with us to learn more.
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