U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) listens closely to South Dakota State University professor and director of the METLAB Fereidoon Delfanian (far left) at the SDSU Materials Evaluation and Testing Lab (METLAB) in Brookings.



Johnson viewed some of the innovative projects at the facility on Tuesday, including the tank shown above, used for ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation and testing of cannon barrels.



As part of the FY 2008 Defense Appropriations Bill, Johnson secured $3.3 million to enable METLAB to conduct the Fatigue Odometer for Vehicle Components and Gun Barrels Project. The project seeks to monitor the wear and tear of large caliber weapons used by the armed forces.



SDSU began developing a materials testing center to serve not only the national agenda, but to help local and regional industries solve engineering problems through advanced materials evaluation and testing technologies and research.