NSF

Scientist earns top national award for biofuels research

By Tina Hilding, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University professor Xiao Zhang has received a prestigious National Science Foundation award to junior faculty for his work in converting tough plant material to liquid fuels.

IT, researchers secure grant to boost computing, innovation

By Casey Hanson, Information Services PULLMAN, Wash. – An innovative partnership between researchers and information technologists has secured a $498,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for Washington State University to increase computing capabilities in research-intensive buildings. This will enhance scientific and data-intensive research, innovation, discovery and education. 

NSF awards support grad students in pharmacy research

By Lorraine Nelson, College of Pharmacy SPOKANE, Wash. – The National Science Foundation has awarded three years of research support to two doctoral students in the College of Pharmacy at the Washington State University health sciences campus in Spokane.

Vancouver professor receives $1.1 million in grants to study how the brain understands what it hears

By Brenda Alling, WSU Vancouver VANCOUVER, Wash. – Christine Portfors, associate professor of biology and neuroscience and head of the Hearing and Communication Laboratory at Washington State University Vancouver, has received two federal grants totaling more than $1.1 million over three years. The grants will be used to study how neurons in the brains of […]

Humans and robots team up for high-tech fruit harvest

  Conceptual human-machine interface for collaborative fruit identification. (Image by Manoj Karkee and Mark De Kleine, WSU) Sensors measure force and pressure during hand picking of apple. (Photo by Long He, WSU) PROSSER, Wash. – With a bumper crop of apples expected this season, many Washington tree fruit growers dream of a day when automated […]

Movement sensor’s feedback acts as physical therapist

Kindle, left, attaches sensor to study participant’s arm. PULLMAN, Wash. – Brooks Kindle sits at his desk to demonstrate the simple stretch he has used all summer to collect data. He has divided the stretch into four parts: lowering his forearm to the desk, raising it back into the air, lowering it again and finally […]

Kids learn physics, energy efficiency basics

  Children learn some basic concepts of physics by using exhibits designed to also teach home energy efficiency. (Photo by Kathleen Ryan, WSU)   PULLMAN, Wash. – An innovative collaborative project is teaching young people the basics of physics. Using simple models, an interdisciplinary team is simultaneously opening doors to more sustainable, energy-efficient homes. Project […]