Bulk Solids Innovation Center
Contact:
Raju Dandu
Phone: (785) 826-2629
Email: rdandu@ksu.edu
Purpose of the Collaboration:
The Bulk Solids Innovation Center (BSIC) started through a collaborative effort of Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus; the City of Salina, Kansas, and the Salina Chamber of Commerce; Coperion KTron; Salina Vortex Corporation; and several additional contributors. This university-level research center is the only one of its kind in North America with six laboratories for university and industry sponsored research. A rare partnership of government, for profit, and non-profit entities, the BSIC provides testing, training, and education for the bulk solid materials handling industry in addition to research.
Length of Partnership:
4 years
Community Partners:
Several contributors including the City of Salina, Kansas, and the Salina Chamber of Commerce; Coperion KTron; Salina Vortex Corporation
Community Impact:
Bulk solids make up more than 80 percent of items transported around the world, yet formal education and research about the science of these materials is not completely understood; how they transport and behave during processing requires further examination. The BSIC is a valuable resource to companies that design and utilize systems for bulk solids, studying and gaining understanding of how to handle these materials to enhance efficiency and productivity in those businesses' operations. The BSIC provides professional development courses to further industry and employee education. The research and testing center has also produced several publications for industry use.
Institutional Partners:
K-State Polytechnic School of Integrated Studies, Department of Grain Science and Industry, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, USDA, City of Salina, Purdue University, and University of Greenwich, UK
Institutional Impact:
The BSIC collaboration leads to research opportunities and experiential learning for faculty and students. For example, students engage in capstone design projects. New courses have also been developed for graduate students as a result of program collaboration.