WVU ⏦ RAIL

West Virginia University's Radio Astronomy Instrumentation Laboratory specializes in the development of new telescopes and cutting-edge technologies for exploring the cosmos. Our primary goal is to make groundbreaking discoveries related to phenomena such as Cosmology, Fast Radio Bursts, and Pulsars. To achieve this, we design and construct large analog and digital systems that exhibit exceptional sensitivity and can readily adapt to emerging opportunities.

The development of new telescopes, dedicated to surveying extensive sections of the sky, necessitates innovative designs and the implementation of massive computing systems. Currently, we are actively constructing these novel telescopes in locations including West Virginia, California, Canada, and South Africa.

In addition, our center's researchers have been an integral part of the CHIME Fast Radio Burst Team, a team that was recently honored with the 2022 Lancelot M. Berkeley − New York Community Trust Prize for Meritorious Work in Astronomy.

⏦Projects⏦

CHIME

The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) marks a groundbreaking addition to the Dominion Astrophysical Radio Observatory (DRAO) in Penticton, British Columbia. This innovative radio telescope is designed to chart the expansive landscape of neutral hydrogen through a technique known as "hydrogen intensity mapping," allowing us to delve into the mysteries of Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) and, consequently, gain insights into the enigmatic realm of Dark Energy.

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ICE

The 'ICE' framework seamlessly integrates extensive arrays of FPGA-based data acquisition, signal processing, and networking nodes, providing a cost-effective solution in both hardware and software.

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HIRAX

HIRAX, short for the Hydrogen Intensity and Real-time Analysis eXperiment, represents a cutting-edge radio interferometer project currently in the developmental stages for its deployment in South Africa. This visionary endeavor will encompass an array of 1024 six-meter parabolic dishes, strategically arranged in a compact grid formation, with the ambitious objective of mapping a significant portion of the southern celestial expanse throughout a span of four years.
At its core, HIRAX is driven by two paramount scientific objectives. The first is to unveil the mysteries of Dark Energy and meticulously measure the intricate structures existing at high redshifts. Simultaneously, it endeavors to delve into the realm of radio transients and pulsars, seeking to uncover their elusive nature. Notably, HIRAX's primary method of investigation revolves around the observation of unresolved sources of neutral hydrogen through the meticulous analysis of their redshifted 21-cm emission line, a technique commonly referred to as 'hydrogen intensity mapping.'

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DSPiRA

DSPiRA, the NSF Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) initiative for Radio Astronomy, is crafted to empower educators with comprehensive training and valuable resources in the realm of Radio Astronomy. Serving as an gateway to a captivating voyage across the domains of science and engineering, particularly within the celestial arena, DSPiRA culminates with a treasure trove of lessons and exercises curated by the program's dedicated cohort of participating teachers.

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CHORD

The Canadian Hydrogen Observatory and Radio-transient Detector (CHORD) stands at the forefront of next-generation radio telescopes, poised to commence construction immediately. CHORD is a collaborative pan-Canadian initiative, conceived to harness the achievements of its predecessor, the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME). This advanced telescope boasts an ultra-wideband spectrum, characterized by a "large-N, small-D" design, featuring a central array of 512 6-meter dishes, complemented by two distant outrigger stations, each equipped with CHIME-like cylinders and a 64-dish array. With the ambitious aim of charting the distribution of matter across a vast expanse of the cosmos, pinpointing tens of thousands of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), and conducting groundbreaking experiments in fundamental physics, CHORD is set to make profound contributions to our understanding of the universe.

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⏦People⏦

Principal Investigator

Kevin M. Bandura, Ph.D.

Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering,
Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy

Faculty Webpage

Dr. Bandura's research interests lie in uncovering the mysteries of the universe, with a particular focus on gaining a deeper understanding of Dark Energy, which is the term used to describe the force behind the accelerated expansion of our cosmos. This pursuit has driven him to concentrate on constructing wide-field survey Radio Astronomy instruments, like CHIME, to enhance our comprehension of the universe.

Graduate Research Assistants

Kalyani B. Bhopi

Ph.D. Student

Research focus on digital calibration.

Dylan J. Gormley

Ph.D. Student

Research focus on RFI mitigation.

Kholoud S. Khairy

M.S. Student

Research focus on the analog signal processing chain.

John W. C. Metzger

M.S. Student

Research focus on antenna characterization.

Student Workers

This could be you!

Message Prof. Kevin Bandura to apply.

Alumni

⏦Contact Us⏦

If you're an enthusiastic student, whether graduate or undergraduate, eager to dive into exciting scientific endeavors, don't hesitate to reach out. Send an email to us and let's explore some hands-on science together!

Our Lab is located at the Advanced Engineering Research Building (AERB) in Room 304 on the WVU Evansdale Campus.

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