Bowling Green, Ky. - Student researchers from Western Kentucky University’s Applied Physics Institute recently participated in a cleanup project at a naval facility in Maryland.

Five WKU students gained real-world experience in the remediation of a storage facility at the Indian Head Naval Facility in Indian Head, Md. Research assistants Jeremy Board of Payneville, Christopher Davenport of Corbin, Christopher McGrath of Auburn, Kyle Moss of Greensburg, and Matthew Nichols of Columbus, Ohio, conducted research throughout the weeklong project in August.

API students worked directly with a PELAN III system, which performs analysis on different types of elements and their contents. WKU Associate Professor Dr. Phillip Womble and API Senior Applications Engineer Jon Paschal led students throughout the recovery of 243 items. The PELAN III examined all of the items and their contents.

Students gained valuable knowledge and research skills throughout the week. McGrath said he appreciated the project in because he could apply classroom knowledge to a real situation and feels that the experience will benefit his future in many ways.

The Applied Physics Institute, located at WKU’s Center for Research and Development and part of the Applied Research and Technology Program, conducts research and development activities that incorporate and go beyond basic research to provide solutions applicable to materials characterization. API also uses its research activities as a practical training tool for undergraduate students in a variety of scientific disciplines by making undergraduates an integral part of its research. For more on the API, visit http://www.wku.edu/API/

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Kelly Johnson at (270) 781-3859.

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