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Engineering students at Washington State University Tri-Cities will soon benefit from a state-of-the-art materials testing machine, thanks to a generous $60,000 donation from Bechtel to support the university’s engineering program.

This contribution will help fund the purchase of a new Universal Testing Machine (UTM), significantly enhancing the university’s capabilities in testing material properties—particularly for 3D-printed materials.

The UTM is a critical tool that allows students and faculty to perform comprehensive tests on the mechanical properties of various materials. While current lab equipment can assess standard metals such as aluminum and steel, it lacks the capability to test the increasingly common 3D-printed materials. As 3D printing becomes a standard practice in the industry, the ability to characterize printed material properties is essential for proving design effectiveness.

“This donation will provide our students with hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment, preparing them for successful careers in engineering and technology,” said Changki Mo, director of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at ������ Tri-Cities. “We are incredibly grateful to Bechtel for their support.”

“Supporting students today helps build the skilled workforce of tomorrow. By investing in hands-on learning at ������ Tri-Cities, we’re helping future engineers gain real-world experience while strengthening the community we call home,” said Brian Hartman Project Director and Bechtel Senior Vice President. “Bechtel is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with ������.”

Bechtel, an engineering, construction, and project management partner to industry and government, has been a longtime supporter of the ������ system’s engineering programs with donations totaling more than $300,000 since 1994. In 2011 and 2012, Bechtel made donations toward the university’s electrical engineering laboratory. The university purchased new lab equipment and supplies, which enhanced lab instruction and student experiences. Purchases included electronic components, test equipment, computers, software, and compensation for a part-time electrical engineering student to maintain the lab infrastructure. In 2023 Bechtel donated $160,000 to support the tutoring center, Learning Assistants program and scholarships at ������ Tri-Cities.

Learn more about ������ Tri-Cities School of Engineering.