With great pleasure we publish here a post by Rod Russell, Energetic Materials Research Engineer / Combustion Lab Advisor at Texas Tech University – Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. College of Engineering:
“Last week our team from the TTU Combustion Lab hit the road for a series of unforgettable industry tours — and we came home energized, inspired, and overflowing with ideas.
This trip started thanks to Luigi Alzati at VALIMET, Inc., who connected us with Carl McAfee.
Carl then coordinated a fantastic lineup of site visits with Charles Speck at Diamondback Industries — and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Deep thanks to:
🔹 Harrison Jet Guns II, LP
🔹 Halliburton Jet Research Center
🔹 Diamondback Industries
🔹 Alpine Polytech
Each of these companies opened their doors, shared their expertise, and gave our students a firsthand look at how real-world engineering, materials science, and energetic-systems innovation actually get done. That kind of access is rare — and incredibly impactful.
Texas Tech University – Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. College of Engineering Combustion Lab members included:
Michelle Pantoya, myself, and ten of our sharp, motivated students who handled every conversation with professionalism and curiosity.
To everyone who took the time to host us: thank you. These experiences don’t just broaden horizons — they shape careers. We’re excited about the relationships being built and the collaboration opportunities ahead.
#TechTexas #CombustionLab #EngineeringEducation #EnergeticMaterials #FieldTrip #IndustryPartnership #TexasTech #RNSC