Technologies originally developed for federal agencies, such as NASA, may improve the safety of mining operations in the nation, thanks to the efforts of researchers, engineers, and intellectual property experts within the Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center at Wheeling Jesuit University.

The NTTC evaluates innovations and technologies that one day may improve communications in mines, create tracking devices to monitor miners, and lead to improvement with mine mapping and mine-rescue technologies.

Established by Congress in 1989, the NTTC expedites the commercialization of federally funded research and development to the private sector. The NTTC transforms ideas and research developed in federal labs such as NASA into products and services, and offers world-class technology assessment services and develops lasting partnerships among industry, academia and government agencies.

The Sago Mine and Alma Mine tragedies highlight both the importance of the NTTC’s mission and identifying new technologies and products that can save lives.

The NTTC, for example, is working in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NTTC is utilizing its expertise to contribute to NIOSH’s efforts to develop the next-generation Self-Contained Self-Rescuer system. SCSRs are required equipment for coal miners and are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and NIOSH.

SCSRs must have a rated duration of one hour. NIOSH seeks to make the respirator both smaller and lighter, as well as lengthen the device’s service life and maximum oxygen capacity. The NTTC is utilizing its experience in identifying technologies and development partners for this initiative.

Under the direction of former Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health J. Davitt McAteer, the NTTC plays a leadership role in improving safety in mining communities with the Coal Impoundment Location and Information System (http://www.coalimpoundment.org). The Coal Impoundment Location and Information System is a pilot project developed by the NTTC , the Center for Educational Technologies® (CET), Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia University and the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and funded through the efforts of Senator Robert C. Byrd.

It is designed to identify coal impoundments in West Virginia, alert residents of emergency situations and evacuation plans, improve safety and examine alternatives for impounding coal waste and sludge in the Mountain State.
-wju-

Media contact: Steven Infanti, Director of Public Affairs at the National Technology Transfer Center, at 304-243-2308.