UW’s 3D Visualization Center Wins Grant to Expand Drone-Based Capabilities

The 3D Visualization Center in the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER) has been selected for a Seed Translational Acceleration of Research (STAR) Project award.

Administered by UW’s Research and Economic Development Division, STAR awards support applied research with high translational or commercialization potential. The program is part of the university’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Accelerating Research Translation (ART) initiative.

The 3D Visualization Center will use the award to expand its drone-based hyperspectral imaging capabilities.

“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,” says Parag Chitnis, UW’s vice president for research and economic development and the principal investigator of the NSF ART grant. “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.”

Led by principal investigator James Amato, an associate research professional and program leader, the award will support the purchase of a next-generation, heavy-lift drone and conduct validation studies, helping increase field efficiency and mission reliability for data capture in Wyoming’s high elevations and strong winds.

The 3D Visualization Center offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities, including geographic information systems, remote sensing, software development and 3D modeling, alongside expert consulting and training. The center’s newly established hyperspectral remote sensing program introduces a new, cutting-edge technology that is gaining strong interest from private industry, particularly in the mining and energy sectors, positioning the center for new applied research and service opportunities.

As part of the award, the team also will conduct a controlled gas-emission testing campaign at the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center, located at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. With support from SER’s Center for Air Quality, this research will use hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to evaluate detection limits, operational constraints and reproducible workflows for detecting and quantifying methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen under controlled-release conditions.

The project will provide a clear assessment of whether HSI can be used to detect, track and potentially quantify gas emissions across different gas types, release regimes and flight altitudes. The work also aims to define detection limits and operational constraints and establish reproducible methods to support future environmental monitoring applications, including the detection of leaking pipelines and other surface or subsurface emission sources.

“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,” Amato says. “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.”

About the NSF ART and STAR Awards

UW is part of the inaugural cohort of institutions to receive the NSF ART award, which provides $6.3 million over four years to reengineer its research and commercialization enterprise. The STAR projects provide seed funding and training, specifically designed to advance innovations with validated commercial potential that can be completed in one year.