South Dakota Mines student Kaytie Barkley is researching a process called ultrasonic welding that utilizes low amplitude, high frequency vibrations to fuse two pieces of plastic together. This type of welding could someday be used to build things like spaceships out of lightweight but strong polymer or composite material.
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NASA has recognized Barkley’s work with a prestigious Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunity award of $68,924. Barkley finished her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at Mines in 2020, and this research is part of her master’s degree.

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