Dr. Haiying Huang, assistant professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been selected to receive the a 2011 National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development 
(CAREER) award. Dr. Huang's research award is sponsored by NSF's Geomechanics and Geomaterials program in the amount of $408,179.00
Dr. Huang’s proposed research will investigate the fundamental failure mechanisms and flow patterns involved when fluid is injected into dense granular media. Entitled “Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Fluid Injection into Granular Media-Failure and Flow Patterns,” her project will focus on exploring the transition from the solid-like response to the fluid-like response in the behaviors of dense granular media through an integrated experimental and theoretical research approach.
Fundamental understanding of the fluid injection process is crucial to numerous civil, environmental, and petroleum applications (e.g., grouting for ground improvement, hydraulic fracturing for hydrocarbon recovery, drill cuttings reinjection for solid waste disposal, construction of permeable reactive barriers for environmental remediation, and CO2 sequestration for greenhouse gases reduction). While basic in nature, the proposed research has the potential to transform these empirical engineering practices to deterministic ones.
The CAREER program is NSF's most prestigious award in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their respective organizations. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.
Congratulations to Dr. Huang on this prestigious honor. It is well-deserved!
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