WSU News - All Stories

June 12, 2025 — Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) has received a patent for VISION, an AI-powered composite inspection robot designed to detect and repair damage on aircraft parts autonomously. Developed at NIAR’s Automation Research Center and recently installed at a U.S. Army facility, the system uses machine learning to analyze inspection images and speed up aircraft maintenance.

June 9, 2025 — Shocker Composites, founded by Wichita State alum Vamsidhar Patlolla, transforms carbon fiber waste into high-performance, sustainable materials using a recycling method he developed during his graduate research. With support from Wichita State’s NIAR and Innovation Campus, the company is scaling up its impact and demonstrating how university-backed startups can drive real-world innovation and sustainability.

Nov. 20, 2024 – Wichita State University has launched the Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistive Technology (IRMAT), an innovative collaboration focused on addressing disease and disability through applied research and technology. IRMAT will serve as a hub for cutting-edge, patient-driven research and development of transformative technologies to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Sept. 25, 2024 — Wichita State University students now have access to cutting-edge virtual production technology at Shocker Studios with the addition of Synthetic Scenes — a 35- by 11-foot digital wall that will give digital arts students and professionals more tools to create innovative productions.

May 14, 2024 — Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research will receive more than $10 million from NASA for research related to the development and implementation of advanced materials for hypersonic applications.

Jan. 8, 2024 - Wichita State University moved to No. 2 on the national list of industry-funded engineering and research and development, according to the latest data compiled by the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey.

Oct. 28, 2020 - Tyler Pennick, director of videography for Wichita State’s Office of Strategic Communications, created a documentary about WuShock in bronze. After two years of development, the documentary was accepted into the Tallgrass Film Festival and awarded for its success.

Oct. 28, 2020 -- The National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University announces a new $13.5 million award from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center for continued applied research on emerging materials for high-speed missile applications.

Oct. 16, 2020 — The Center for Educational Technologies to Assist Refugee Learners is working to improve the lives of more than 70 million forcibly displaced refugees worldwide by making education more accessible.

July 23, 2020 — The Advanced Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, which receives funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, recently awarded Wichita State $250,000 to assist in creating a workforce development database focused on compiling a map of educational programs and resources that provide skills required for today’s advanced robotics and manufacturing careers.

May 27, 2020 - Wichita State's Shocker Studio is alway updating its technology for students in the School of Digital Arts and the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Media Arts. An industry advisory board, with voices from around the nation, helps Shocker Studios plan for what’s next and what’s important. The technology upgrades include the two recording studios – one digital, one analog - that are undergoing remodels that include new acoustics, new sound boards and new components.

May 19, 2020 -- The Army is turning to “digital-twin” technology from Wichita State University to resolve challenges and boost efficiencies for its enduring fleet of Black Hawk helicopters.

May 4, 2020 -- A new research partnership between Wichita State University’s (WSU) National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and the U.S. Air Force will create a virtual B-1 Bomber that could help the Air Force predict the future of its supersonic bombers.

Nov. 1, 2018 -- Students from Wichita State's media arts program and the School of Performing Arts are coming together to produce a feature film called “A Long Story Short,” which has a mystery and suspense story line.

August 28, 2018 - Shocker Studios is a unique and growing campus where students can work in state-of-the-art video, audio, animation and gaming studios.