2001-2002 UAF Catalog

Research

Northern Engineering, Institute of

The Institute of Northern Engineering (INE) is a research branch of UAF which includes the Energy Center, Transportation Research Center, and Water and Environmental Research Center. Its objective is to provide faculty and students with research opportunities and facilities.

Research is conducted in the fields of civil, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering, chemistry, mathematics, computing science, physics and water resources. Research areas include arctic hydrology, renewable energy sources for rural areas, ground water contamination, environmental remote sensing, robotics and ecological engineering.

Many INE projects have a special focus on cold region problems as well as water-related problems that occur in Alaska and other northern areas. Some programs also have regional, national or international scope. INE is a member of the Automotive Research Center, a U.S. Army National Center of Excellence in modeling and simulation of ground vehicles.

External grants and research support approach $4.2 million annually. Most of INE's researchers are full-time faculty in undergraduate and graduate programs, so the results of their research reach the classroom quickly to benefit all Alaskans. Through cooperation with other research groups, a diverse interdisciplinary team has been formed to tackle difficult problems. This environment provides graduate students with extensive hands-on experience, making them particularly valuable as future employees.