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A sudden onset of fresh snow helped the Keweenaw Research Center spring into action seemingly overnight. The KRC works with upwards of 200 clients each year, mostly in the winter, and Project Manager Russ Alger said they had about 75 companies bring products to the 100-acre testing grounds all at once. Alger says the center provides world-class facilities and allows for anonymity that companies treasure.
Alger says that he was overseeing testing on new snow blowers. His father began cold research studies as a faculty member of the Civil Engineering Department in the late seventies. Alger got a degree from Tech and started part-time working on military radar projects. His first job full-time was overseeing testing of anti-lock brake systems on Keweenaw Bay in the early 80’s. He has never left. Alger says snow has always fascinated him, and he spent the first date with his now-wife catching snowflakes on his jacket to show her the shape.
The Keweenaw Research Center is run entirely by “soft money” meaning that its work with private clients and various military branches provides all of the funding to keep the enterprise going. The staff are public employees working for the university, but only Director Jay Meldrum is a lecturer.
Alger says the KRC routinely employs as many as 25 students to help during the school year. Alger spoke as part of Michigan Tech’s “Husky Bites” series last Monday. You can see the presentation below. There will be another presentation tonight at 6 PM on Zoom about volcanoes and continuing weekly through the end of the school year.
