Navatek and Wichita State University collaborate to develop inflatable wing technology.
Research firm Navatek to open WSU office; partnership will greatly grow military research
Navatek LLC, a contractor focused on technology research for U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Defense and NASA, is opening an office on the Wichita State University campus in fall 2020.
This collaborative partnership between Navatek and WSU will grow combined applied research capabilities for the military, provide critical hands-on learning opportunities for students and help diversify the local economy.
Among its work, the Navatek-WSU partnership will explore using inflatable wing materials and structures to extend the range that airborne personnel can travel in squirrel wingsuits. The effort promises to open up a whole new set of mission possibilities using the lightweight flight suits, spotlighted in popular culture by daredevils jumping out of planes and off cliffs.
Inflatable technology will be used further to build wings and structures for lighter, smaller unmanned aerial vehicles, or “drones,” and is being used in the design of new space habitats for NASA. The Navatek-WSU team will perform research into new materials, structures, fabrication and deployment techniques, and the aerodynamic performance of prototypes to push this technology to the next level.
A Blackhawk helicopter arrives at Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) in Park City, Kansas. NIAR is using two Blackhawks and a B-1 Bomber in its Digital Twin program to provide insight for the military to maintain and repair aging aircraft.
Digital Twin program brings new life to old aircraft
“Basically, what we're trying to do with Digital Twin technology is take legacy airplanes, so airplanes built in the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s — kind of before the digital age — and bring them into the digital age,” said Dr. Melinda Laubach-Hock, NIAR’s director of sustainment and a Wichita State graduate. “We're taking old military assets, taking them apart piece by piece, cleaning the pieces up, scanning them in, and then digitally reassembling them.”
The insights gained through the digital assembly provide valuable data to those who might work to maintain and repair similar aircraft in the future.
Shockers, Wildcats revive hoop series after 17 years
Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall and Kansas State's Bruce Weber have agreed
to a four-game series, beginning in 2021, and will also stage a special charity exhibition
game this October.
The exhibition is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24 at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown
Wichita with proceeds benefitting Kansas residents affected by COVID-19. Details will
be announced at a later date.
The new series begins with a Dec. 5, 2021 matchup at INTRUST Bank Arena and continues
with stops at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan (2022), the Sprint Center in Kansas City
(2023) and Charles Koch Arena (2024).
Scholarships now available for WSU Badge Courses!
Badges are academic short courses of one credit hour or less that are designed for working, non-degree seeking professionals. They are online and self-paced. Badges allow students to demonstrate to employers their knowledge, skills and competencies in a subject area. Students who successfully complete a badge will receive a digital recognition of their accomplishment that they can share on social media and link to a digital resume.
Enrollment is open now! You can begin the badge course between Aug. 17-Nov. 9. All coursework must be complete by Dec. 3.
To enroll and view the badge course catalog, visit badges.wichita.edu. For questions, please contact workforce@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7579.
KMUW's newsroom receives three national PMJA awards
Three KMUW staff members are recipients of 2020 Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) awards. The awards recognize the best work in public media journalism from across the country.
KMUW competes in Division B, stations with four-to-seven full-time news staff members. Carla Eckels, KMUW’s director of cultural diversity for news and engagement and host/producer of Soulsations, was awarded second place in the arts feature category for her commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Gordon Parks’ 'The Learning Tree.'
KMUW reporter Stephan Bisaha received second place in the news feature category for "Kansas Is In Danger Of Losing A Generation Of Hunters And Their Conservation Money."
Tom Shine, KMUW’s director of news and public affairs, was awarded first place in the interview category for his conversation with Branch Rickey III, president of the Pacific Coast League, "On Baseball, Wichita's New Team And The 'Beautiful Legend' Of Jackie Robinson."
These features and all of KMUW's award-winning coverage can be found at kmuw.org/awards.
125th anniversary lapel pins now available
Wichita State University face masks in the Shocker Store
The Shocker Store is now selling Wichita State University face masks in the RSC store and online at shockerstore.com. Be safe and responsible only in the best Shocker fashion!
Save 30% during the Christmas in July Sale
Save big at the Shocker Store’s Christmas in July Sale! From July 13-18, take 30% off sweatshirts, sweatpants and cold weather accessories (gloves, scarves, hats, etc). Valid on regular-priced items. Sale is in RSC store and at shockerstore.com. RSC store hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Join us at the Heskett Center
Not sure when to visit the Heskett Center? Are you worried about social distancing? Download the FitDegree app today to keep track of facility occupancy.
Student and graduate assistant positions open at University Libraries
University Libraries has two positions open! WSU students can apply for our opening here and graduates can apply here. Questions? Send us a message at librarystaff@wichita.edu.
Be rewarded with free pool in July
Members of the EAT.DRINK.PLAY. Rewards Program in the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes can enjoy an entire month of free billiards in July. There is no limit and no restrictions! Simply show your rewards card and enjoy.
If you are not already a member, joining is free and easy. Simply stop in and ask for details. Current hours of operation are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
NOTE: We are working hard to keep our guests healthy and safe with added measures to sanitize equipment after every use!