WSU students to train on newest tech, thanks to Hanford contractor big donation

Engineering students at Washington State University Tri-Cities will soon have new technology to keep up with advances in materials production, thanks to a company with Hanford site ties.

Bechtel has donated $60,000 to help pay for a state-of-the-art materials testing machine.

The WSU campus in Richland has lab equipment that engineering students can assess standard metals, such as aluminum and steel.

But it cannot assess the materials commonly used in 3D printing, which is becoming a standard practice in the industry.

To prove design effectiveness, engineers need to be able to characterize printed material properties.

“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 WSU Tri-Cities.

Bechtel National holds the contract to design, build and commission the Waste Treatment Plant at the Hanford nuclear site to turn radioactive waste from plutonium production for the nation’s nuclear weapons program into a stable glass form.

“Supporting students today helps build the skilled workforce of tomorrow,” said Brian Hartman, Bechtel National project director of the Hanford vitrification plant and Bechtel senior vice president. “By investing in hands-on learning at WSU Tri-Cities, we’re helping future engineers gain real-world experience while strengthening the community we call home.”

Bechtel has donated more than $300,000 to the WSU system’s engineering programs since 1994. In 2023 it also donated $160,000 to support the tutoring center, Learning Assistants program and scholarships at WSU Tri-Cities.

This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM.