The University of Wyoming’s 3D Visualization Center in the School of Energy Resources has been selected for a Seed Translational Acceleration of Research (STAR) Project award, according to a May 7 announcement. The award will help the center expand its drone-based hyperspectral imaging capabilities.
The STAR awards are administered by the university’s Research and Economic Development Division and support applied research with high potential for translation or commercialization. The program is part of the National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation initiative, which aims to advance research that can benefit the economy.
Parag Chitnis, vice president for research and economic development at the University of Wyoming and principal investigator of the NSF ART grant, said, “Based on the merit review of the project, it is clear that the 3D Visualization Center’s proposal aligns well with the mission of the NSF ART grant of accelerating research translation for economic benefit. This project has the potential to drive industry collaboration and diversify our state’s economy by applying research to support and strengthen existing energy and mining sectors.”
James Amato, associate research professional and program leader at UW, leads this project as principal investigator. The funding will be used to purchase a next-generation heavy-lift drone and conduct validation studies designed to improve field efficiency in challenging conditions such as high elevations and strong winds common in Wyoming. The center offers services including geographic information systems, remote sensing, software development, 3D modeling, consulting, and training. Its new hyperspectral remote sensing program uses advanced technology that is attracting interest from private industry in mining and energy.
As part of this award, researchers will also conduct controlled gas-emission testing at Colorado State University’s Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center in Fort Collins. Supported by SER’s Center for Air Quality at UW, these studies aim to evaluate how well hyperspectral imaging can detect methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen emissions under controlled conditions. The goal is to determine detection limits across different gases while establishing reproducible workflows suitable for environmental monitoring applications such as detecting leaks from pipelines or other emission sources.
Amato said: “Overall, this investment leverages UW’s existing hyperspectral capability to establish a reproducible pathway toward operational emissions monitoring and decision support for industry and public-sector partners. Together, these investments strengthen UW’s ability to deliver advanced remote-sensing services for energy, environmental and critical minerals research while supporting new partnerships and long-term service center growth.”
The National Science Foundation ART award provides $6.3 million over four years as part of an effort by UW—one among an inaugural cohort—to reengineer its approach toward research translation into commercial applications through programs like STAR.