LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech University partnered with Florida International University to develop the Wind Hazard and Infrastructure Performance (WHIP) center. The new center is aimed at merging university research with real world applications to help lower costs in severe weather instances.
“Once this center is established it will be the only center in the country to do this,” said Kishor Mehta, Director of the WHIP Center.
He said companies interested in the WHIP Center pose a research question to the faculty, and then take the information to better help families in insurance cases.
The center is funded by these companies, each paying $50,000 to invest, and also funded by a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
“This is an incredible opportunity for everyone involved,” Mehta said. “Our research will be able to tell these companies about the amount of economic damage, saving them money in the long run by preventing future damages.”
If this partnership is successful, the university said they will enter another five year contract with Florida International University and other companies.
