Technology and Innovation Commons^™

10 Years After Fair Move, Unl Grows Dynamic Innovation Campus, Steven White

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Back at the old State Fair Park in Lincoln, the same grounds where kids once showed have changed, but it's still about agriculture - solving global challenges related to food and water. "To see this build out here is really pretty cool," Black said of his lab. Pretty cool indeed, as the Nebraska Innovation Campus takes shape. "This whole idea of taking the state fairgrounds and retrofitting," Black said. It was an idea Black heard about when he was being recruited to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While it excited academics, many grumbled about the move. In retrospect, the head of …

[Nebraska] Innovation Studio Readying Metal Shop, Complete Redesign, Deann Gayman

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Nebraska Innovation Studio readying metal shop, complete redesign.

When Nebraska Innovation Studio (https://innovationstudio.unl.edu/nebraska-innovation-studio) opened in 2015, it was a pre-eminent makerspace unlike anything else in the state — and it’s only getting better.

By the end of 2019, NIS will boast a metal shop, larger instant prototyping inventory and larger woodshop, among other improvements.

A new classroom for groups has been completed. NIS Director David Martin said the classroom opened in May and has welcomed school groups, a Solid Works hobby group and the Native Youth Summer Academy.

“I think it will be a popular addition here, for …

Nebraska Innovation Studio, Extension Helping Communities Transform Libraries, Deann Gayman

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Nebraska Innovation Studio, extension helping communities transform libraries.

Back in 2012, Beatrice Public Library leaders and stakeholders had an eye toward the future as they drew up plans for a building renovation. Among the ideas was an area to house a makerspace.

“Some in the public hadn’t heard of this concept, so we ended up not having the full space,” library director Laureen Riedesel said. “We do have a 3-D printer and computers set up there, and our idea is to let it evolve and as people become aware of what we have, they’d ask for machines that we could …

Strategic Audit Of Microsoft Office, Dylan Dmitri Gray

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Microsoft Office is some of the most iconic software ever made. It empowers people and organizations across the planet to achieve more.

The scope of this audit is limited to Office for business. The consumer market, which is less profitable and dominated by free products, is not considered.

This audit attempts to explain the strategies currently being pursued by the Office leadership team, and the relation of these strategies to the broader industry. Ultimately, this paper attempts to identify threats to Office and offer suggestions on how best to mitigate those threats.

A Strategic Audit Of Garmin Ltd, Jared Frenzel

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Garmin is a consumer electronics company that has been designing, manufacturing, and selling GPS products since 1989. Recently, however, Garmin has experienced growth well below the market average. This report examines Garmin past and present business situation using analysis techniques such as SWOT, PEST, and Porter’s Five Forces. The information obtained from these analyses will then be used to propose a business strategy that would bring Garmin’s growth back into line with the market average.

Microsoft: A Strategic Audit, Jacob Paul Warner

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the University Honors Program Requirements. It discusses Microsoft Corporation and its placement within the tech industry using different analyses such as PEST, Porter’s, and SWOT. In addition to its placement, the thesis explores what strategies Microsoft could pursue next. The industry is highly competitive, so Microsoft needs to stay on its toes and continue to build upon its strengths to remain at its current competitive level. The cloud industry is rapidly growing, so it would be best if Microsoft used its global presence and existing infrastructure to build upon its existing cloud …

[Nebraska] Innovation Studio Creates Opportunities For Entrepreneurs, Businesses, Deann Gayman

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Nebraska Innovation Studio creates opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses.

Since opening in 2015, Nebraska Innovation Studio (https://innovationstudio.unl.edu/nebraskainnovation-studio) has been a boon to Nebraskans looking to create new businesses, products and ideas.

The 3D printers – one of the most popular tools for innovators – are nearly constantly running.

“I call it instant prototyping,” Chris Rhodes, NIS member and entrepreneur, said. “(3D printers)are super beneficial because your turnover time is a lot faster and the cost is considerably cheaper than finding a company or purchasing a printer.”

Improving The Distribution And Use Of Biogas By Conversion To Methanol, Zachary Christman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this technology review, the process of turning an average biogas into methanol will be presented. The purpose is to find a better method of transporting the energy contained within biogas so that it may be used in industry as a value added product. The first step is removal of hydrogen sulfide, a corrosive chemical that can breakdown mechanical parts. The second step is carbon capture and conversion of the biogas into hydrogen. The final step is the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide into methanol using a copper catalyst and an alcohol co-catalyst.

Nutech Ventures Annual Report 2018-2019

NUtech Ventures: Publications

NUTech Ventures annual report 2018-2019.

Dynamic Pricing Of Wireless Internet Based On Usage And Stochastically Changing Capacity, Demet Batur, Jennifer K. Ryan, Zhongyuan Zhao, Mehmet C. Vuran

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

(1) Problem Definition: Inspired by new developments in dynamic spectrum access, we study the dynamic pricing of wireless Internet access when demand and capacity (bandwidth) are stochastic. (2) Academic / Practical Relevance: The demand for wireless Internet access has increased enormously. However, the spectrum available to wireless service providers is limited. The industry has thus altered conventional license- based spectrum access policies through unlicensed spectrum operations. The additional spectrum obtained through these operations has stochastic capacity. Thus, the pricing of this service by the service provider has novel challenges. The problem considered in this paper is therefore of high practical …

Nebraska Innovation Campus 2019 Annual Report

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC) is connecting the talents of experts, companies and the university to create a unique culture of innovation. NIC is a campus designed to facilitate new and in-depth partnerships between the University of Nebraska and private sector businesses. NIC is adjacent to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and strategically provides access to research faculty, facilities and students.

Annual impact & returns: $324.1 million economic impact from the operation and investments of business, organizations and conferences located at NIC; annual state and local income, sales, and property tax revenue impact $6.48 million; $82.1 million annual employee compensation impact; $13.44 …

Nebraska Innovation Studio Snapshot, Nebraska Innovation Studio

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Flyer about Nebraska Innovation Studio, 2019.

Nebraska Innovation Studio is a 16,000-square-foot makerspace at Nebraska Innovation Campus. NIS members have access to a world-class facility, with a metal shop, wood shop, lasers, plasma cutter, 3D printers, electronics, ceramics, screenprinting, sewing, embroidery, long-arm quilting, vinyl cutting, weaving, and more. Nebraska Innovation Studio is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.

Includes a 2019 snapshot and information about its metal shop, a special cake made to commemorate the University of Nebraska's 150th anniversary, the Veterans in Recovery program, membership, and special events.

Treatment Of Plastic Wastes Using Plasma Gasification Technology, Zachary Homolka

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Plasma gasification (PG) complements traditional recycling when applied to contaminated or mixed plastics. Without PG these plastics cost recyclers more to process than they are worth on the market, and sometimes they are landfilled or incinerated instead of being recycled. Plasma gasification can take plastic not suitable for traditional recycling and break it down into high-quality syngas for use in electricity generation, chemical manufacturing, or hydrogen production. The technology can be implemented without changing the behavior of consumers, which is a major advantage over attempting to decrease contamination or reduce use of low-value plastic. Due to high capital requirements and …

Veterans Group Turns To [Nebraska] Innovation Studio For Fellowship, Therapy, Deann Gayman, Greg Nathan

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Veterans group turns to Nebraska Innovation Studio for fellowship, therapy.

Every Thursday afternoon, the Nebraska Innovation Studio (https://innovationstudio.unl.edu/) machine shop lathes are circled by a group of veterans learning and honing their woodturning skills. The hands-on lessons also double as therapy sessions.

Woodturning is a simple task, but requires concentration. That focus quiets thoughts the veterans may be struggling with, said Jim Young, a Vietnam War veteran and founder of the Veterans in Recovery program.

Duncan Announced As President Of Aurp Executive Committee

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Daniel Duncan, Nebraska Innovation Campus (https://innovate.unl.edu/) Development Corporation Executive Director, has been elected as president of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) (https://www.aurp.net/) for a two year term. The association announced its 2018-2019 Board of Directors and newly elected leadership during a luncheon at the 2018 International Conference hosted by the University of Maryland’s Discovery District in College Park, MD. AURP is a professional association of university-related research and science parks. The organization’s mission is to foster innovation, commercialization and economic growth through university, industry and government partnership. “I was honored to be voted in as president of the …

Innovation Campus Inviting Companies To 'Rise' In New Building, Chris Dunker

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

In a former life, the site of Nebraska Innovation Campus’ newest building was a copse of trees and vendor stalls near the eastern edge of the midway of State Fair Park. A century later, the Rise Building near 21st Street and Transformation Drive is 80,000 square feet of bright and modern potential campus officials hope attract rising businesses to the up-and-coming research park. Modeled on tech company headquarters in San Francisco and Montreal, the Rise is the “first building built 100 percent on spec” at Innovation Campus, according to Dan Duncan, the campus’ executive director.

Husker Alum Uses Art To Tell Veteran's Story, Deann Gayman

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Husker alum uses art to tell veteran's story.

Until Thursday, Jordan Lambrecht and Melissa Ewing had been strangers. Now, Lambrecht is intimately familiar with Ewing’s life story, having spent two days working together at Nebraska Innovation Studio to artistically represent Ewing’s life and service in the United States military. As Lambrecht sketched a rough draft, he explained how themes from Ewing’s story prompted his creative process.

Nic Receives Nebraska Recycling Council Member Of The Year Award, Heather Creevan

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

The Nebraska Recycling Council held its 2018 Annual Awards Luncheon & Workshops on Tuesday, October 2 at the Country Club of Lincoln. Seven awards were presented to Nebraska communities, businesses and individuals that have excelled at resource recovery and recycling. Nebraska Innovation Campus is Member of the Year American Recycling is Service Provider of the Year Habitat for Humanity of Omaha is Green Team of the Year BD Pharmaceutical Systems, Columbus won the Zero Waste Award City of Lincoln won the Waste Diversion Project of the Year Hofeling Enterprises is End Market of the Year Kevin Creevan of VerMaas Construction …

[Nebraska] Innovation Studio Assists Stadium Window Upgrade, Deann Gayman

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Nebraska Innovation Studio assists Memorial Stadium window upgrade.

Husker fans in Memorial Stadium's club suites will get to watch the Scott Frost era kickoff with a nearly obstructed view through new windows developed by a Lincoln company, with an assist from Nebraska Innovation Studio (https://innovationstudio.unl.edu/nebraska-innovation-studio).

Chad Bloomquist, a Lincoln native and project manager for Glass Edge, combined elements of residential single-hung windows with a component from rolling garage doors to create a completely new design that minimizes window frames, enhancing the view of the action on the field.

Lincoln Area Skills Gap Report: Final Report, Eric Thompson

Bureau of Business Research Publications

In recent months, the Nebraska Departments of Labor and Economic Development have led efforts to conduct two surveys regarding the skills of workers and skill needs of employers in the Lincoln area. The surveys were conducted during late 2017 and early 2018. The Lincoln area includes the two counties of the Lincoln Metropolitan Area (Lancaster and Seward), all or most of five surrounding southeast Nebraska counties (Gage, Jefferson, Saline, Saunders, and York) and a portions of 4 other adjacent counties (Butler, Cass, Fillmore, and Otoe). The two surveys are the Lincoln Area Labor Availability Survey and the Lincoln Area Survey …

Nic To House Nebraska's First Self-Driving Shuttle, Scott Schrage

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Nebraska Innovation Campus is living up to its name. The university’s epicenter of forward-thinking initiatives will temporarily house the state’s first self-driving shuttle, which was announced June 20 at Nebraska Innovation Studio. The City of Lincoln, which won a $100,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to test the autonomous system, plans to release a public riding schedule for the shuttle within the next two weeks. Expected to remain in Lincoln through at least mid-July, the electric-powered shuttle will be monitored by an onboard operator. It carries up to 15 passengers. With the announcement, Nebraska becomes one of the first Big Ten …

Nvidia Corporation: A Strategic Audit, Daric Teske

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

NVIDIA is company that has been involved with the production of computer hardware known as a graphics processor units (GPUs) since the turn of the century. Over the past decade, NVIDIA has begun to explore other applications of its proprietary technology, including the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerated computing. Looking from a business perspective, this strategic audit analyzes the history of the company and its current state, as well as industry outlooks to provide a strategic recommendation. Annual reports, market reports, and press releases were all utilized to provide the best perspective of the industry possible. Though NVIDIA …

Applications Of Varying Leadership Structures For Software Engineering Teams, Elliot Sandfort

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This thesis explores the similarities and differences between applications of managing software engineering teams in Design Studio and the state of the practice. Information about the leadership structure of Design Studio teams was gathered over 3 semesters of Design Studio experiences with two companies: Hudl and TD Ameritrade. Information about leadership concepts in the state of the practice was gathered from experiences and observations with three different companies: Hudl, Garmin, and TD Ameritrade. From these experiences and observations, it can be concluded that the leadership structure of Design Studio is valuable as a student learning experience, and with proper consideration …

Biotech Connector Open For Business

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

The Biotech Connector, the state’s first wet-lab business incubator, is now open for business at Nebraska Innovation Campus. Compani es already are using the newly completed 7,700-square-foot facility, according to DanDuncan, NIC’s executive director. The Biotech Connector is a collaboration between NIC and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development,Bio Nebraska, Invest Nebraska and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The facility provides incubation and acceleration services to bioscience startups and high-growth biotech and research-based businesses. Housed on the fourth floor of the FoodInnovation Center, the incubator offers wet-lab space to develop biotech commercial proof-of-concept …

Innovation Campus Relishing Its Newfound Momentum, Chris Dunker

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

As Nebraska Innovation Campus was preparing to open a little more than three years ago, university and research park officials asked lawmakers and regents for patience. Speaking to the Board of Regents in September 2014, then-Chancellor Harvey Perlman said the park’s biggest obstacle would be showing an activity level capable of sparking excitement from potential partners. “You want people to believe there is actually something there,” Perlman said at the time. “It’s hard to attract people to go out there to be pioneers when they would be isolated.” Innovation Campus, it seems, has found that spark and begun stoking it …

Expanded Learning Opportunity (Elo) Innovation Fellowship Announcement, Nebraska Innovation Campus

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO) Innovation fellowship announcement.

Beyond School Bells will announce the four winners of the first-ever Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO) Innovation Fellowship. The announcement will take place on February 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Nebraska Innovation Studio (NIS), where the fellows will be based.

During the year-long fellowship, the Innovation Fellows will form a multi-disciplinary,collaborative team creating exciting, engaging and inspiring after school and summer programs that will be used in ELO programs serving youth all across Nebraska.

The Innovation Fellows are University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomores and juniors, with expertise in the arts, engineering, design, computer science and …

Innovation Fellows Excited For 'Incredible' Outreach Opportunity, Deann Gayman

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Innovation Fellows excited for 'incredible' outreach opportunity.

As long as he can remember, Dana Hoppe has been trying to find ways tomeld his seemingly disparate passions – art and science.

As one of the first Innovation Fellows, Hoppe will design curricula for middle school students doing exactly that, combining science, engineering, math, technology and art.

"It’s an incredible opportunity for me to find an outlet for my ideas and a common ground for my two passions while also giving back to the community,” Hoppe, a sophomore computer science and art major, said. “There are lots of possibilities.”

The Innovation Fellows …

Strategic Excellence In Post-Digital Ecosystems: A B2c Perspective, Edin Güçlü Sözer, Mustafa Emre Civelek, Murat Çemberci

Zea E-Books Collection

The basic production of the digital economy is knowledge. As it becomes more important, traditional factors like labor and capital become less so. As technological innovation changes the nature of employment, the conversion of labor to consumption becomes increasingly difficult. E-commerce is the most important driving force of the digital economy. Using technology and information networks effectively allows brands or companies to effect rapid changes in competitive markets. The emergence of neo-consumers calls for a higher order of information exchange and interaction. Companies must reasses their complete business processes in a holistic way to ensure market prominence in an economy …

Nutech Ventures Annual Report 2017-2018

NUtech Ventures: Publications

NUTech Ventures annual report 2017-2018.

Assessing The Validity And Reliability Of Family Factors On Physical Activity: A Case Study In Turkey, Sharalyn Steenson, Hilal Ozcebe, Umut Arslan, Hande Konsuk Unlu, Ozgur M. Araz, Mahmut Yardim, Sarp Uner, Nazmi Bilir, Terry T.-K. Huang

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

Background: Childhood obesity rates have been rising rapidly in developing countries. A better understanding of the risk factors and social context is necessary to inform public health interventions and policies. This paper describes the validation of several measurement scales for use in Turkey, which relate to child and parent perceptions of physical activity (PA) and enablers and barriers of physical activity in the home environment.

Method: The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of several measurement scales in Turkey using a population sample across three socio-economic strata in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Surveys were conducted …