Technology and Innovation Commons^™

Nebraska Unwrapped: Innovation Studio Provides 'Makers' Tools Of Their Dreams, Deann Gayman

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Nebraska Unwrapped: Innovation Studio provides 'makers' tools of their dreams, December 12, 2017.

It has been another successful year for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In the spirit of the holiday season, we’re unwrapping the impact of the state’s flagship institution and taking a closer look at some highlights. Today, "Nebraska Unwrapped" is focusing on innovation. Other topics in the series include student experience, outreach, and research.

Nebraska Innovation Studio makes sought-after tools and work space available to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and members of the public. For a small monthly fee, ranging from $15 to $55 (https://innovationstudio.unl.edu/fee-breakdown) , …

Nic Earns International Award As Best ‘New’ Research Campus

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Reflecting five years of momentum, Nebraska Innovation Campus was honored with the Emerging Research Park Award from the Association of University Research Parks on Oct. 11. The award, among several of the association’s Awards of Excellence, is presented annually to a research park that has been in operation fewer than 10 years and excels in bringing technology from the laboratory to economically viable business activities, promoting business growth, jobs and public revenue. Those considered for the award must also display participation in the university and federal lab community, positive effecting university research funding and recruitment of superior students, faculty and …

Construction Begins On Newest Nebraska Innovation Campus Building

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Construction on a new 80,000-square-foot, multi-tenant building at Nebraska Innovation Campus (http://www.innovate.unl.edu) is underway. Dan Duncan, NIC’s executive director, said the building continues the momentum of the long-term build-out plan for the research campus. The newest facility – NIC’s fifth – was announced Aug. 30 and is planned to open in late summer 2018 northeast of 21st Street and Transformation Drive. Overall, construction of the campus began in 2012, and within three years, 380,000 square feet of office, conference center, lab, pilot plant and greenhouse space was completed. This year the campus has added restaurant space and welcomed The Mill …

A Model For Innovation: Project Will Bring Makerspace To Sidney [Nebraska], Brad Barker

Nebraska Innovation Studio

A model for innovation: Project will bring makerspace to Sidney, Nebraska.

A new project led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will establish an Innovation Makerspace Co-Laboratory in Sidney, with the goal of building a network of makerspaces around the state in small towns and places they wouldn't normally exist.

The space will help advance an experimental model of interdisciplinary learning, educational connectedness and social innovation focused on rapid prototyping and making. A makerspace is a site that provides hands-on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they engage in science and engineering.

The project is …

Local View: Partnerships A Proven Model, Tonn Ostergard, Dana Bradford, Tom Hennung, Joann Martin, Larry Miller

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Four years ago, we turned the first shovel of dirt at Nebraska Innovation Campus. Leaders in Nebraska education, business and government had outlined a bold vision for this public-private venture adjacent to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. We wanted to combine the expertise of UNL faculty with the resources of the private sector to bring research breakthroughs to market, attract talent to our state and grow Nebraska’s workforce and economy. Almost 20 private partners, tens of thousands of visitors, and hundreds of jobs and student internships later, our only regret is that we didn’t start down this path decades earlier. …

The Mill Coffee & Bistro To Open At Nebraska Innovation Campus

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

NIC's first restaurant has deep roots in Lincoln. Daniel and Tamara Sloan, owners of The Mill Coffee & Tea, announced their plans to open athird Lincoln location at Nebraska Innovation Campus this summer. The new shop, to be called The Mill Coffee & Bistro, will feature The Mill’s signature coffeesand teas as well as an expanded food menu of breakfast items, lunch items, small plates,snacks, wine and beer. The Mill Coffee & Tea (http://millcoffee.com/) is a small-batch craft coffee roaster, espresso bar andtea house that was started in Lincoln in 1975. The original store is now located at 800 P …

Brewing Equipment Added To Food Innovationcenter

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

New services are brewing at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Food Innovation Center (http://innovate.unl.edu/food-innovation-center) . Partnering with American Beer Equipment in Lincoln, the university’s Department of Food Science and Technology is bringing a 3.5 barrel, semi-automated brew house online in theFood Innovation Center pilot plants. The equipment, which will be available in the spring, will be used for research into craft beer and other fermented products, developing/testing related products with industry partners, and student instruction. “This brew house will open new doors for the university to expand research and extension work into, essentially, any fermented product,” said Steve Weier, general manager …

Growing Yeast For Livestock, Zachary Christman

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

Over 500,000 tons of organic materials such as food scraps are disposed of each year in Wisconsin. A large percentage of this material could be composted or turned into useful products. The purpose of this article is to educate farmers and organizations on how to turn food waste into a high value food source for livestock. Yeast can be grown at any time of the year without the large inputs of agricultural chemicals and machinery that is common with other feed production methods. A yeast growing facility can be scalable to any size the producer wants such as a small …

Artificial Intelligence In Engineering Risk Analytics, Desheng Wu, David L. Olson, Alexandre Dolgui

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

Risks exist in every aspect of our lives, and can mean different things to different people. While negative in general they always cause a great deal of potential damage and inconvenience for stakeholders. Recent engineering risks include the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster from the 2011 tsunami, a year that also saw earthquakes in New Zealand, tornados in the US, and floods in both Australia and Thailand. Earthquakes, tornados (not to mention hurricanes) and floods are repetitive natural phenomenon. But the October 2011 floods in Thailand were the worst in 50 years, impacting supply chains including those of Honda, Toyota, Lenovo, …

Has The Usage Of Precision Agriculture Technologies Actually Led To Increased Profits For Nebraska Producers?, Michael H. Castle

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

An ever-increasing global demand for food, coupled with increasingly volatile commodity prices have charged producers with the task of becoming more efficient. As such, technologies aimed at producing more with less are continually being developed and marketed to producers. However, whether or not these expensive new technologies have resulted in improved profitability is still unknown, as the vast majority of studies showing their impact on profitability have been performed using hypothetical farms and simulations. These studies have shown the potential for increases in profitability from use, but their impact in the real world is still uncertain.

This project uses various …

Innovation Campus Establishes Art Gallery Space, Taige Hale

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Art exhibitions and dedicated gallery space are helping enhance creative energies at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln research campus, which is focused on developing partnerships between the university and private sector businesses, recently opened the Cooper Foundation Makers Gallery in its Nebraska Innovation Studio maker space. The current exhibition in the gallery is "Member Made" and showcases projects built by maker space members. Innovation Campus is also featuring an exhibition of student artwork, images of quilts on display at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum, and a water droplet sculpture by Kansas City artist Matthew Dehaemers. Kate …

Next Innovation Campus Building On Track, Chris Dunker

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

In two weeks, construction fences will go up on the site of the next Nebraska Innovation Campus building -- 80,000 square feet under development by Tetrad Property Group. At first, the fence will encircle an area set aside for activities related to this year’s Cattlemen’s Ball, which begins June 3 in Lincoln and has a dinner that night at Innovation Campus. Once the tents come down, the fences will remain for the next phase of the research park at the former State Fair Park. Based on the agreement between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and developer Nebraska Nova, Tetrad must begin …

Report: Nic Heating, Cooling System To Cut Environmental Impact In Half, Leslie Reed

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

By using wastewater to heat and cool its buildings, Nebraska Innovation Campus (http://innovate.unl.edu) will give off only about half as much greenhouse gas as comparable commercial buildings, a new study has found. The findings demonstrate NIC’s emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility, said Dan Duncan, the campus’ executive director. “It’s part of the environment we’re trying to create, the culture we’re trying to create,” he said.“We want to show that this is a different place.” Instead of energy-gobbling boilers and cooling towers, the research campus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln uses a stream of effluent from a nearby wastewater treatment …

Nsf Grant To Support Development Of New Phenotyping Instrument, Haley Steinkuhler

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

With support from a National Science Foundation grant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers are developing a new tool that will help them better identify plant characteristics that are critical to improving crop performance. The three-year, $534,194 grant will be used to develop an instrument that will improve capacity, sensitivity and throughput for plant phenotyping. Producing enough food and energy for a world population of more than 9 billion by the year2050 is the greatest challenge facing agriculture. To solve the looming global food security challenge, crop stress tolerance and yields must increase. Researchers around the world are studying plant characteristics, or …

A Handbook For Inventors And Innovators: Technology Commercialization At The University Of Nebraska–Lincoln

NUtech Ventures: Publications

Overview: Director’s Message * Commercialization * Technology Transfer Process * Benefits * Resources

Sponsored research: Process * Bayh-Dole Act * Funding Resources

Invention disclosure: Who * What * When * Why

Intellectual property: Patent * Other Forms of Intellectual Property * Criteria * Barriers to Patenting * Life of a Patent * University Ownership

Commercialization: Licenses and Licensing Process

NUtech Ventures’ mission is to commercialize technologies generated from the research and creative activities of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Namely, NUtech Ventures seeks to facilitate the transfer of innovations from the “lab to the marketplace” for the benefit of society. This …

Veal: The Rise Of Generation Interactive, Patrick Aievoli

Zea E-Books Collection

The purpose of this book is to investigate and discuss the premise that the current generation was constructed to be consumers for a transitional marketplace. As the economy shifted from analog to digital, consumers had to be trained to accept, use and progress within a new economic model through changes in societal and economic patterns. During the course of this book those patterns will be discussed and displayed as a confluence of: Marketplace manipulation, Abusive use of technologies, and Lack of governance.

In this book I discuss how those events are reflected in the habits and lifestyles of the current …

Can Contracts Replace Qualification In A Sourcing Process With Competitive Suppliers And Imperfect Information?, Yue Jin, Jennifer K. Ryan

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

This paper considers a manufacturer who outsources the production of a product to multiple competing suppliers, who differ in their cost structures and in their capabilities for producing high-quality products. The manufacturer must design the sourcing process to ensure that the selected supplier has sufficient quality capability, while encouraging competition among the suppliers. We develop and analyze a mathematical model of performance-based contracting, a sourcing method that is appropriate when the manufacturer has imperfect information regarding the suppliers’ costs and capabilities. We compare the performance of performance-based contracting with that of a two-stage sourcing process, an alternative sourcing method that …

Innovation Campus Grand Opening Continues, University Communication

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Nebraska Innovation Campus [http://innovate.unl.edu] will open its doors to the public Oct. 9 to celebrate its grand opening. The grand opening celebration at Nebraska Innovation Campus continues today with public tours and a Nebraska Alumni Association“Football Friday” event. NIC works to connect private business partners with the talent of UNL faculty for the purpose of transforming ideas into innovations. NIC has established a collaborative and innovative culture that nurtures dynamic, creative energy. Campus tours begin at 4 and 4:30 p.m. From 5 to 7 p.m., the Nebraska Alumni Association will host Football Friday at NIC in anticipation of the Oct. …

Grant To Boost Innovation Campus, Biotech Startups, Chris Dunker

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will use a $750,000 grant from the U.S.Department of Commerce to build biotechnology lab space at Nebraska Innovation Campus for small and start-up companies. Together with unused construction funds to match the federal Economic Development Administration's grant, UNL will create a “biotechnology connector program” to stimulate economic growth in fields from agriculture to pharmaceuticals. Within months, 10,000 square feet of vacant space at the Food Innovation Center will become laboratory space for up to eight small companies a year for the next nine years,said Matt Erskine, deputy assistant secretary of commerce for economic development. “This investment …

7 Tips To Grow Your Rural Business With Purpose And Meaning, Connie I. Reimers-Hild, Alyssa Dye

Community Vitality Initiative

No one can predict the future; however, rural entrepreneurs and business owners can use a future-focused leadership approach, which includes examining megatrends, to shape the future of their businesses. Megatrends are global shifts that influence society, the economy and the environment. The purpose of this article is to help rural entrepreneurs discover ways to grow their businesses with Living with Purpose and Meaning Megatrend.

Become A Future-Focused Leader: Use Three Megatrends To Grow Your Rural Business, Connie Reimers-Hild, Alyssa Dye

Community Vitality Initiative

No one can predict the future; however, rural entrepreneurs and business owners can use a future-focused leadership approach, which includes examining megatrends, to shape the future of their businesses. Megatrends are global shifts that influence society, the economy and the environment. This article discusses three megatrends shaping the future of rural businesses:

1) The Rise of the #GigEconomy

2) Living with Purpose and Meaning

3) The Decentralized Marketplace

The article also provides coaching tips for rural entrepreneurs on how to use megatrends to grow their businesses.

While many companies are struggling to keep up with the rapid rate of change, …

Nu's Innovation Campus To Host Packaged Korean Food Producer's Research Hq, Joe Duggan

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

LINCOLN — On land once famed for food on a stick, an Omaha entrepreneur declared Monday that she’s hoping to put kim chi on a shelf. Suji Park, founder and “chief inspirational officer” of Suji’s Cuisine USA, announced that the company will soon open a modest research and development division at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln technology park occupies the former location of the Nebraska State Fair. Park, who employs six staff members at a marketing office at 1299 Farnam St. in Omaha, said the company last week launched a line of packaged Korean barbecued beef and pork …

Cooper Foundation Grant To Expand [Nebraska] Innovation Studio, Troy Fedderson

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Cooper Foundation grant to expand Nebraska Innovation Studio.

The Cooper Foundation of Lincoln has provided a grant of $200,000 to support the Nebraska Innovation Studio, a 16,000-square-foot maker space in the Innovation Commons Building at Nebraska Innovation Campus.

"This charter investment in Nebraska Innovation Studio embodies one of the hallmarks of Cooper Foundation grant making,” said Jack Campbell, chairman of the board of trustees of the Cooper Foundation. "We strive to provide early investment in ventures of significant promise, and the development of this maker space certainly fits the bill."

The one-of-a-kind place for all kinds of makers will let …

Innovation Campus Adds Korean Food Processor, Chris Dunker

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Suji Park owns and operates Korean restaurants in South Korea and Japan -- and caters food service at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul -- but she has long been drawn to Nebraska’s status as the Beef State. “It’s the Silicon Valley of red meat,” said Park, whose Suji’s Cuisine was announced Monday as the fifth private company and first international tenant of Nebraska Innovation Campus. They already have a sales office employing six people in Omaha. When the Korean food manufacturer opens a research office in the Food Innovation Commons this summer, Park said, Suji’s Cuisine will expand its line …

Wood Cut From State Fair Park Trees Crafted Into Table, Chris Dunker

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

In line with the renovation of the former 4-H Building and Industrial Arts Building,Nebraska Innovation Campus is continuing to make the old new. Few remnants of the former State Fair Park remain, but trees removed from the old fairgrounds during construction have been repurposed into furniture for the 250-acrecampus. Innovation Campus, which is nearing opening its second building, installed a new boardroom table last week crafted from green ash trees that once lined the western edge of State Fair Park, said Josh Berger, director of operations at Tetrad Property Group, the site's developer. “Between here and Devaney, we had to …

Students Hone Creativity In [Nebraska] Innovation Studio Course, Troy Fedderson

Nebraska Innovation Studio

Students hone creativity in Nebraska Innovation Studio course.

This is the true story of twenty-three University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) students from various academic backgrounds, picked to work together and learn about new technologies; to find out what happens when people start tinkering and begin to develop bigger ideas.

This is "Making for Innovation," a unique, first-time UNL course offered in the new Nebraska Innovation Studio at Nebraska Innovation Campus.

The class, which is worth three credit hours and meets for lectures on Tuesdays and lab projects on Thursdays, is taught by Shane Farritor, Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and …

World-Herald Editorial: Right Vision For Nu'sinnovation Campus Project, Omaha World-Herald

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Innovation Campus is the University of Nebraska’s commendable effort to create a world-class scientific research park on the former Nebraska State Fairgrounds. Rather than blindly copying what’s being done in, say, Massachusetts or North Carolina,Innovation Campus is rightly building on Nebraska’s proven strengths. The point isn’t gargantuan size. Instead, it’s quality and specialization, using sound long-term planning and a phased approach to construction. Using a mix of $25 million in public funds and more than $100 million in private contributions,the project is focusing on fields in which Nebraska already has a strong reputation. A key example: food science. Innovation Campus …

Resource Planning In Engineering Services Firms, Vincent Hargaden, Jennifer K. Ryan

Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics: Faculty Publications

We develop a model to enable engineering professional services firms to improve the management of their competitive resources, i.e., skilled engineers, to be better able to respond to customer demand. The model was informed by semistructured interviews with senior executives from engineering, information technology (IT) services and technical consulting firms. As a result, we capture many of the complexities associated with the resource planning process in the professional engineering services sector. In the resulting model, the key attributes of supply, demand, and operations constraints are identified. Based on information obtained from the interviews, a number of test firms are created.We …

'Making For Innovation' Will Be First Class At Nic [Nebraska Innovation Campus], Troy Fedderson

Nebraska Innovation Studio

'Making for Innovation' will be first class at Nebraska Innovation Campus.

A new course will allow up to thirty students to get hands-on experience and help launch the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Maker Space in the spring semester.

The course, "Making for Innovation," will be the first to meet at Nebraska Innovation Studio — formerly the UNL Maker Space — on Nebraska Innovation Campus (http://innovate.unl.edu). Shane Farritor, Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Liana Owad, Maker Space Coordinator, will guide the class.

Unl To Sublease Space At Innovation Campus, Chris Dunker

Nebraska Innovation Campus Materials

Nebraska Innovation Campus could move closer to independence when the University of Nebraska Board of Regents considers giving the research and development park more authority over its operations. Regents are set to consider allowing the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to approve sublease swithin its master-leased areas of Innovation Campus, as well as add structures to the terms of directors overseeing campus operations. UNL's footprint at Innovation Campus has expanded significantly this year after regents approved a $4.5 million lease for space in the Food Innovation Center. That 117,000-square-foot area, set to open in summer 2015, will be the new home to …