About CIRA

Located in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, CIRA currently leverages the talents and experience of 10 faculty, 4 staff members, and 16 Ph.D. and Master's students. Over the past fifteen years, CIRA has completed over 84 funded research projects, totaling more than $16 million and graduated 85 M.S. and Ph.D. students. CIRA also helped establish 11 private companies and transferred 12 University technologies to new and existing companies along with developmental support for 4 additional companies.

CIRA was founded to develop technology that brings forth solutions to industrial problems. From large aircraft pallet sensor systems to helicopter airframes to analysis techniques for microbial contamination, CIRA has a proven track record for conceptualization of a problem solution carried through to an industrial product.

CIRA's research work has provided its graduate students with the hands-on experience, training and know-how needed to solve practical problems, making them an attractive proposition for companies looking to hire professionals with real-world experience. Due to the commercial focus of its participants, CIRA has created a legacy of real-world capabilities that provide its sponsors with access to a multi-million dollar research infrastructure directed by professionals who understand the bottom line needs of industry.

Recent News

Flying High

Rotary wing aircraft, including helicopter, are more flexible in their flight envelope than traditional fixed-wing aircraft. Helicopter have the ability to hover in place, take off and lander vertically, as well as fly in any orientation of the body of the aircraft relative to the direction of motion. Read more...

AirRay Unveiled

CIRA is in the initial steps of changing the way the world looks at airborne recreational activities. AirRay, a maneuverable and custom developed downhill glider, is currently being developed and tested at the Center. This aircraft design is new and significant because it will be capable of year round use on ski slopes. Read more...

Two US Patents Granted

The "Non-Circular, Mechanically Variable Optical Attenuator" U.S. Patent of Franz Pertl, Fredrick Nassauer, and James Smith, was granted on January 9, 2007. U.S. Patent No. 7,162,136 defines the optical attenuator that allows uniform gradual dimming of an optical element through two special polarizers that can linearly translate with respect to one another. This new design is unlike conventional polarizers that require rotation with respect to one another. Read more...

Cooling in the Desert

Azimuth, Inc., of Fairmont, West Virginia, has teamed with CIRA to develop a modular, durable, add-on roof system for military shelters such as those currently being used in the Middle East. This device is being designed to alleviate the overwhelmingly high cost associated with sufficiently cooling these portable offices/shelters in the extreme climates found in the Middle East, where temperatures remain upwards of 110 F during the day. Read more...

Center for Industrial Research Applications