Technology and Innovation Commons^™

Understanding Agtech Adoption: Evidence From The Farm Tech Adoption Challenge 2025, Ankit Chandra, Mark Stone

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

The Farm Tech Adoption Challenge (FTAC) examined how farmers evaluate emerging agricultural technologies through structured interactions with startups. Farmers assessed solutions based on their on-farm challenges and indicated adoption decisions. Results showed that adoption was driven by how well technologies addressed economic pressure, risk reduction, and operational simplicity. Startups aligned with these priorities were more likely to gain traction, with five out of nine receiving farmer commitments for adoption. However, adoption also depended on clear economic value, field validation, and system integration. Overall, the findings suggest that the primary bottleneck in agtech is not the lack of relevant technologies, but …

Exploring Gen Z’S Identity Formation And Its Influence On Consumption Of Pop Culture And Entertainment Merchandise, Melisa Annette Spilinek

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Fandoms have grown in size and influence, becoming a complex and dynamic cultural phenomenon that richly impacts the consumption of media and consumer behavior. The capitalistic United States with its diverse and media-savvy population, is a prime destination to study fan studies, particularly among young adults who are a crucial component of fandom influence.

The internet has grown to be a major component of the fan experience, an integral part of fandom culture. Online communities provide avenues for Generation Z to connect with others who share similar struggles, challenges, and interests, highlighting the importance of digital platofrms on the evolution …

An Inaugural Forum On Epidemiological Modeling For Public Health Stakeholders In Arizona, Joseph R. Mihalijevic, Carmenlita Chief, Mehreen Malik, Kayode Oshinubi, Eck Doerry, Esma Gel, Crystal Hepp, Tim Lant, Sanjay Mehrotra, Samantha Sabo

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

Epidemiological models—which help us understand and forecast the spread of infectious disease—can be valuable tools for public health. However, barriers exist that can make it difficult to employ epidemiological models routinely within the repertoire of public health planning. These barriers include technical challenges associated with constructing the models, challenges in obtaining appropriate data for model parameterization, and problems with clear communication of modeling outputs and uncertainty. To learn about the unique barriers and opportunities within the state of Arizona, we gathered a diverse set of 48 public health stakeholders for a day-and-a-half forum. Our research group was motivated specifically by …

Sentinel Surveillance Of Sars-Cov-2 Rates And Equity Impacts Using Labor And Delivery Patients In Phoenix, Arizona, Caitlyn J. Linehan, Trisalyn Nelson, Celeste V. Bailey, Esma Gel, Dean V. Coonrod, Cheryl K. Roth

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

Proactive management of SARS-CoV-2 requires timely and complete population data to track the evolution of the virus and identify at risk populations. However, many cases are asymptomatic and are not easily discovered through traditional testing efforts. Sentinel surveillance can be used to estimate the prevalence of infections for geographical areas but requires identification of sentinels who are representative of the larger population. Our goal is to evaluate applicability of a population of labor and delivery patients for sentinel surveillance system for monitoring the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We tested 5307 labor and delivery patients from two hospitals in Phoenix, Arizona, …

Audio-Technica Strategic Audit, Caleb Druckemiller

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Audio-Technica is a multinational audio equipment design and manufacturing company specializing in the production of headphones, microphones, and turntables. The company has been a gold standard for professional use since its inception and has recently ventured into consumer markets. Using both internal and external analysis tools, this audit aims to evaluate how Audio-Technica has established itself in the highly competitive audio equipment industry. Specific techniques include Porter’s Five Forces and PESTEL analyses. After conducting this examination of Audio-Techinca and its industry environment, strategic recommendations will be made to best position the company moving forward.

A Strategic Audit Of Tesla Inc., Jayden Boesch

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This research paper examines Tesla's competitive advantages and challenges, as well as its strategy and objectives in the electric vehicle industry. The paper begins by providing an overview of the electric vehicle market and Tesla's position within it. It then discusses Tesla's business model, strategy, and objectives, as well as its competitive advantages over other firms in the industry. The paper also highlights key resources that Tesla needs to maintain its sustainable competitive advantage in the future, such as research and development, charging infrastructure, and top engineering talent. Finally, the paper identifies challenges that Tesla may face in the future, …

Nintendo Strategic Audit, Stephanie Herridge

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Nintendo is a Japanese-based multinational company that is one of the primary competitors in the video game industry. It has smaller headquarters located in North America and Europe and continues to pursue new markets and customers. Having remained successful for over a century, Nintendo pursues unique forms of strategy to maintain relevance for current generations of consumers. This strategic audit seeks to dissect Nintendo’s long-term profitability by analyzing the company’s history, competitive resources and advantages, and the current challenges and trends in the video game industry as a whole. The tools used to explore the industry include Porter’s Five Forces …

Union Pacific Strategic Audit, Maureen O'Hara

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Union Pacific is the largest domestic railroad in the United States, responsible for nearly all of the rail-based shipping in the 23 states making up the Western two-thirds of the country. The company provides a crucial link in the global supply chain. By utilizing internal and external analysis tools, this report seeks to understand how Union Pacific’s business model and strategies have led them to create and sustain competitive advantages against other big competitors in the transportation industry. The analysis utilizes tools such as PESTLE, Porter’s Five Forces, and SWOT analyses. Following the application of the analysis, strategic recommendations are …

Nutech Ventures Annual Report 2022-2023

NUtech Ventures: Publications

NUTech Ventures annual report 2022-2023.

Workiva Strategic Audit, Rose Pilakowski

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Workiva is a software development company that simplifies complex reports for companies in over 180 countries around the world. Within a controlled, secure, audit-ready platform, Workiva customers connect critical business data directly with their source systems. This paper will analyze Workiva to help understand how it utilizes its platform to gain and sustain competitive advantages in the software and accounting environments. After completing an analysis of Workiva and its industry, I found that Workiva currently sits at an advantageous position in relation to its competitors, but still has room to grow in holding the lead above them.

Central Data Storage Newly Located At Innovation Campus, University Communication

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Nebraska Innovation Campus has announced a new partner. Dan Duncan, NIC’s executive director, said Central Data Storage recently moved into its office space on the campus. Central Data Storage is a software and services company that offers business-critical data backup and recovery as well as encrypted messaging for highly regulated businesses. Central Data Storage provides daily account monitoring, in-house support, and military grade file encryption that ensures a company’s digital assets are protected, as well as a 24-hour recovery guarantee.

Berry Study Leads To Sweet Faculty Startup, Kateri Hartman

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

When the American Aronia Berry Association approached Husker researcher Changmou Xu with a problem, he set out to solve it in a big way. He and his wife and co-founder, Xiaoqing Xie, have worked with numerous campus entities to increase the value of the aronia berry through their startup, A+ Berry. The company is focused on juice products made from aronia berries. Due to their astringency,the berries don’t have an inherent demand; however, they have great potential to impact the Midwest and beyond through their high return value as a crop and impressive health benefits.They boast significantly higher levels of …

Sensory Lab Offers Variety Of Testing To Suit Client Needs, Kateri Hartman

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

The Sensory Analysis Lab, housed within the Food Processing Center on Nebraska Innovation Campus, fills a niche need for low-cost, high-value insights for food product developers and companies. The sensory lab offers companies consumer insights about new products and those that undergo ingredient substitutions. This unique offering helps food companies determine whether their products are ready for market, among many other things. “We’re a good resource for those smaller to medium-sized companies that are wanting quick and fairly inexpensive feedback,” said Julie Reiling, manager of the sensory lab.

Innovation Studio Volunteer Receives Quilt Of Valor For Work With Veterans, Deann Gayman

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Jim Young was wrapped in gratitude and honor for the many lives he’s touched—including hundreds of veterans—when he received a Quilt of Valor during a presentation July 29 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Nebraska Innovation Studio. At the presentation, Young was flanked by sister-in-law, Pat Young, and wife, Victoria, and seated near the same lathes he’s spent countless hours standing over to train veterans on woodturning. They are lessons that double as therapy, helping the veterans heal. In his remarks, [Jerry] Reif [Innovation Studio assistant director] said that 227 veterans have benefited from the program, with an average of 30 …

Innovation Campus To Host Nebraska Bluegrass Concert Series, University Communication

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Nebraska Innovation Campus has partnered with local organizations to offer and host the Nebraska Bluegrass Concert Series. The live music concert series is free and open to the public. It will feature bluegrass bands from the Appalachian regions, Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and Lincoln-based groups.The concerts will take place at 6 p.m. in the plaza at Nebraska Innovation Campus on Aug. 10, Sept. 14, and Oct. 12. Food and drink will be available for purchase from The Mill Coffee and Bistro starting at 5 p.m.

$1.6m Federal Award Supports Academic Space At Scarlet Hotel, Haley Apel

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has received a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to complete an academic facility offering real-world teaching within The Scarlet Hotel. The funds will initiate the build-out of a 100-seat classroom and offices within the hotel, offering new opportunities for Huskers seeking hospitality, restaurant, and tourism management degrees through the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Covid‑19 Vaccine Distribution: Exploring Strategic Alternatives For The Greater Good, Arben Asllani, Silvana Trimi

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

The dire state of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis symbolized the urgency for efficient distribution and administration of vaccines to combat the virus as the most urgent public health service. This paper presents a prototype multi-criteria decision support model based on goal programming that can effectively support vaccination plans for the greater good of society. The optimization goals of the model include minimizing the number of fatalities and risk of spreading the disease, while complying with government health agency’s priority guidelines for vaccination. This study applied the model to a real-world dataset to demonstrate how it can be effectively applied as …

Scarlet Hotel Is Open To Serve Huskers, Kate Engel

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Nebraska’s Scarlet Hotel is open for business. Located at Nebraska Innovation Campus, the 154-room Marriott Tribute hotel is home to The Good Life Coffee Shop; the Well & Good, the hotel’s signature restaurant; and the Barred Owl, the rooftop bar with incredible views of Lincoln. The hotel’s restaurant, bar and coffee shop are open to the public and feature Nebraska-inspired cuisine and drinks. A grand opening celebration for the hotel is scheduled for 4 p.m. May 6.

Governor Signs Budget With Investment In Ag Innovation Facility, University Communication

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Gov. Pete Ricketts on April 4 [2022] signed a mid-biennium budget package for the state that makes investments in key priorities of the University of Nebraska System, including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s agricultural innovation facility. The budget package includes $25 million for the agricultural innovation facility, which will serve as a companion to the United States Department of Agriculture’s proposed National Center for Precision, Resilient and Regenerative Agriculture. Both facilities are being planned for construction on Nebraska Innovation Campus. As proposed, the $50 million companion facility will feature a public-private partnership with $25 million provided via private funds and the …

Data Analytics And Decision-Making Systems: Implications Of The Global Outbreaks, Desheng Wu, David L. Olson, James H. Lambert

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the goals and functions of technology-based systems around the world [16]. From a health perspective, the World Health Organization has reported that over six million have died of the disease. Government efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 have had drastic impact on global supply chains. The world’s health systems have been heavily taxed. Travel is difficult anywhere, and more difficult internationally. Economies are still in downturns [13], as many workers have been taken out of the economy for indefinite periods of time, and the structure of work has radically changed, with many working remotely …

Veterans In Recovery Program Supporting America’S Heroes, Nathan Brennan

Nebraska Innovation Studio

For men and women in the military, coming home isn’t always an easy adjustment. They can often experience PTSD, anxiety and depression. That’s why a Vietnam veteran in the Capital City is hoping to change that by creating a recovery program.

Since 2015, the Nebraska Innovation Studio has given students and community members the ability to innovate and explore their creativity. Now that same studio has opened their doors to our country’s bravest heroes.

It’s all about focus, holding it for about 30 to 40 minutes, James Young, founder of the Veterans in Recovery program.

Food Science, Tech Program Offers Huskers Valuable Real-World Experience, Annie Albin

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

A program launched by a student experience is helping Huskers in food science and technology majors gain hands-on experience while making positive real-world impacts.

Offered through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Food Science and Technology, the Food Processing Center’s Student Rotation program allows undergraduates to participate in four lab experiences. Those labs — dairy plant, pilot plant, product development lab and sensory lab — were first completed by a student who just happened to take them through the four years of her collegiate career

Medication Bottle With Anti-Tampering Features, Bahar Aliakbarian, Muhammad Rabnawaz, Susan E. Selke, Krystal Cheng, Arun Ross, Austin Cozzo, Anurag Chowdhury, Ali Tamayol, Carina Russell, Prem Chahal

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

A medication bottle includes an outer container wall, an inner container wall and a fluid, such as an aversive liquid, located between the walls. In another aspect, the fluid is located within separate compartments or channels located between the walls where the walls contact or are secured to each other. A further aspect provides a removeable cap including multiple sensors, at least one of which is a biometric sensor.

Nebraska Innovation Studio Celebrates Six Years Of Making, Chris Dunker

Nebraska Innovation Studio

When it opened in 2015, Nebraska Innovation Studio had a wide selection of tools and equipment and an open floor plan. Like many of the projects it has birthed, the potential was there to be filled. Now, six years later, the makerspace at Nebraska Innovation Campus is celebrating its growth and development into a 16,000-square-foot facility that has scratched the itch for makers of all stripes.

Nebraska Innovation Studio Celebrating Marked Growth, Deann Gayman

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Since Nebraska Innovation Studio (https://innovationstudio.unl.edu/) opened its doors in 2015, the makerspace has continued to retool and expand its offerings, becoming one of the best facilities of its kind in the nation.

A re-opening event is announced in this news released, planned for September 16, 2021.

Beauty And Lifestyle Subscription Services: A Modern Retailing Format For The Vigilante Collaborative Consumption Consumer, Melisa Spilinek

Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Advancements in technology and ease of use of online shopping via phone applications (apps) and subscription services have fundamentally changed how consumers shop. Now more than ever, consumers are turning to time-saving technological tools that are subscription services. Subscription services provide a multitude of benefits to consumers and contribute to collaborative consumption in nearly every product and service category from coffee to apparel. To investigate beauty and lifestyle subscription services and collaborative consumption this study will utilize a mixed methods convergent design to analyze user experience including price sensitivity, subscription service apps and ease of use. Anticipated contributions to the …

3d Printing Of Human Microbiome Constituents To Understand Spatial Relationships And Shape Parameters In Bacteriology, Jacques Izard, Teklu Kuru Gerbaba, Shara R. P. Yumul

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Effective laboratory and classroom demonstration of microbiome size and shape, diversity, and ecological relationships is hampered by a lack of high-resolution, easy-to-use, readily accessible physical or digital models for use in teaching. Three-dimensional (3D) representations are, overall, more effective in communicating visuospatial information, allowing for a better understanding of concepts not directly observable with the unaided eye. Published morphology descriptions and microscopy images were used as the basis for designing 3D digital models, scaled at 20,000×, using computer-aided design software (CAD) and generating printed models of bacteria on mass-market 3D printers. Sixteen models are presented, including rod-shaped, spiral, flask-like, vibroid, …

Nsri Expands To Nebraska Innovation Campus To Increase Engagement With Nu Researchers, Students, Katelyn Ideus

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

The National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebrask (https://nsri.nebraska.edu/) a has opened a satellite office at Nebraska InnovationCampus to more closely collaborate with University of Nebraskaresearchers and students.

Nutech Ventures Annual Report 2020-2021

NUtech Ventures: Publications

NUTech Ventures annual report 2020-2021.

Nutech Ventures Guide To Start-Up Companies At The University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

NUtech Ventures: Publications

NUTech Ventures guide to start-up companies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Overview

NUtech Ventures is the commercialization affiliate of the University of Nebraska, serving the Lincoln and Kearney campuses. We protect and license the university’s intellectual property and promote entrepreneurship through programming and sponsored events. Ultimately, our mission is to improve quality of life and promote economic development.

NUtech Ventures has created this guide to help aspiring University of Nebraska entrepreneurs in starting their entrepreneurial journey. It is focused on companies formed to commercialize innovations developed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and protected via intellectual property rights owned by UNL …