College of Engineering

Louisiana’s economy relies on materials that can take the heat. From refineries and chemical plants to energy and aerospace systems, the state’s industries rely on metals and ceramics that can withstand extreme temperatures, pressure, and corrosion.

Most Americans remember that winter day in 1986 when they watched the Space Shuttle Challenger ascend into the atmosphere to make history by carrying the first American woman and first African American astronaut into space. Unfortunately, what made this space flight infamous was that it exploded 73 seconds into its journey, leaving NASA and viewers wandering what went so horribly wrong. Fast forward to today, LSU Industrial Engineering graduate student Olutofunmi Olaoye and a team of LSU Engineering students are working on research to prevent this type of disaster from happening again.

Construction 3D printing has shown great potential to revolutionize affordable housing and emergency construction, LSU researchers say.