Oklahoma State University - Stillwater - OSU launches new day for sensor research with UML opening

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OSU launches new day for sensor research with UML opening

Tuesday, 03 June 2008

From left, Stephen McKeever, Oklahoma State University VP for research and technology transfer, and Burns Hargis, OSU President, learn about unmanned aerial systems from Edward Sweeney of Republic Aero at the grand opening of the OSU University Multispectral Laboratories in Ponca City Tuesday, June 3.

(PONCA CITY, Okla., June 3, 2008) -- Oklahoma’s sensor industry launched a new chapter today with the grand opening of the OSU University Multispectral Laboratories in Ponca City.

The OSU-UML is a national center focused on the test, evaluation and implementation of defense, homeland security, energy, and intelligence systems. Wholly owned by OSU and operated by Triton Scientific, an Oklahoma business, the OSU-UML brings researchers together with government and industry to rapidly and efficiently advance new technologies and capabilities to the end user.

“The UML is a shining example of the power of partnerships,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “We greatly appreciate the support of the federal government, the State of Oklahoma, Ponca City and ConocoPhillips.

“OSU is creating a land-grant university model that cuts across disciplines to allow students to use their skills, imagination and creativity to enrich their lives and the lives of others. The exciting sensor research that will take place here will support that mission, helping ignite innovation and creating solutions for our state and our world,” Hargis said.

“The OSU-UML will change the landscape of the sensor industry,” said Stephen McKeever, OSU Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer and Executive Director of the OSU-UML. “The UML will be a national resource for researchers, companies and the government and will facilitate the process of delivering necessary technologies to our nation’s first responders.”

“As a government-owned, contractor-operated facility, the OSU-UML is similar to other national labs, like Los Alamos, in both structure and operation,” said Lab Director Web Keogh. “The UML’s focus is not just on the individual technology that is being developed, but on the proper implementation of entire systems that enhance operational capabilities. The OSU-UML acts as a trusted agent because we have no ownership in the technologies or systems we are evaluating or helping to develop, allowing us to equally serve technology developers, government acquisition agents, and end users. For us, the key is fusing our analytical, technical and tactical expertise and solutions to meet the needs of the customer.”

Although the OSU-UML staff has been working since December 2006 to establish infrastructure, build capabilities, and engage in research and assessments, today’s event marks the completion of the first phase of renovations to Research East, the facility donated to OSU by ConocoPhillips in Ponca City. Renovations to the entire facility should be complete by 2010.

“We’re really excited about what the OSU-UML is going to do not only for the sensor industry but also for our region,” said David Myers, Executive Director of the Ponca City Development Authority, which provided a $2 million incentive to the project in 2006. An economic analysis of the OSU-UML projects a $140 million positive economic impact on Ponca City over the next ten years.

“By attracting high-level scientists to the area and forging relationships with institutions like Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory, the OSU-UML ties North Central Oklahoma to a cutting-edge industry in the national and global economy,” Myers continued.

The OSU-UML continues to receive significant support from local, state and federal groups. In addition to the $2 million Ponca City investment, ConocoPhillips provided another $2 million and donated the 70,000-square-foot laboratory to OSU. More than $3.1 million has also been appropriated by the U.S. Congress to support sensor development and other security-related technology. The state of Oklahoma has appropriated more than $6.6 million to the construction and renovation of OSU-UML facilities.

The grand opening ceremony featured remarks by Hargis; Lou Watkins, Chair of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents; Joe Alexander, State Secretary of Science and Technology; Senator David Myers; Ron Armstrong of ConocoPhillips; Lee Evans, President of PCDA; and Keogh. Those in attendance toured the newly renovated facility and saw demonstrations of safety and security technologies being evaluated or developed by the OSU-UML.