Behrend’s open-lab strategy enables new research investments
Penn State Behrend’s investments in high-end research equipment for the open-lab strategy has led to investments in advanced research equipment and facilities for faculty, staff, and undergraduates including research collaboration with companies and other colleges in the region.
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Penn State Behrend has invested $2 million in research equipment in addition to advancing more than $8 million in sponsored research during the 2017-18 academic year, including projects funded by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Geological Survey, Dresser-Rand, Pi Lab, Process and Data Automation, and Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory. The new equipment includes $311,000 worth of new precision instruments dedicated to the plastics engineering technology lab as well as several other disciplines of research, including medical study, aquatic biology and data analytics.
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The open-lab strategy initiatives are being led by the new associate dean for research and graduate studies, Dr. Ivor Knight. The work done through the open-lab strategy are giving students and faculty the opportunity to work directly with industry on real world projects and partner with researchers at other colleges in the region, according to Knight.
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Before coming to Behrend, Knight led the development of the biomedical division for Canon Inc., where he was given the opportunity to hire undergraduate science and engineering students. Knight recognized that the undergraduate students who were most competitive had done previous research while in school. Knight’s previous work with undergraduate students, who were given access to the most up-to-date, high level equipment, will now be integrated into undergraduate degrees at Behrend.
Knight is most looking forward to the collaboration with regional colleges and companies close to campus, particularly those that have a local stronghold in the region.
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“Knowledge Park provides an even closer link to industry with companies being able to locate their people right on our campus,” Knight said. The Aerospace Division of SKF International, located across the border in New York, is a prime example for collaboration opportunity, as engineering students have continuously been working with their office located in Knowledge Park on research projects that keep helicopters and planes flying.
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Several different research projects on campus are now being given the opportunity to dive deeper into their study as Penn State continues to invest into the college.
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“The University recognizes the value of the open-lab model and sees that we’re a good size for piloting new strategies. We’re large enough, and we have enough diversity in our programming, to allow for replication of what works here on a larger scale across the University,” said Amy Bridger, senior director of corporate strategy and external engagement.
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One of the many new advancements in equipment is the college’s confocal microscope, which was installed in 2008. With the funds from the Hirtzel foundation and support of the Lake Erie Research Institute, the microscope has been enhanced with an ultraviolet laser and camera, allowing researchers to analyze tissue samples and brain cells.
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A massive delivery of an analytical chemistry instrument, the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), was purchased through a $381,000 grant from the Hirtzel Foundation. The instrument, which is the only one in the region, can measure very low levels of chemical compounds in a variety of sample types. According to Knight, several local universities, including Behrend, applied for the grant and the instrument will be shared among the universities for environmental, health, and industrial research.
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Knight intends to expand these efforts for future research through the resources available by cultivating federal, state, foundation and industry support to provide students with advanced equipment. Knight is working with Behrend Chancellor, Dr. Ralph Ford, as well as the school directors and faculty, and the leadership at University Park to ensure continuous support and maintenance updates for the major pieces of equipment. With this in mind, Knight said that more equipment will require more support and funds to keep maintenance and repairs up to date.
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“Our faculty are great at writing proposals to obtain funds for new equipment,” Knight said. “I can’t say enough about the faculty’s dedication to providing new opportunities for our students, both in the classroom and in the research labs.”
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According to Knight, delivery of new equipment for students is currently in the reviewing process, with several proposals lined up by funding agencies. With the support of local regional companies and colleges, along with the open-lab cooperation and collaboration strategy, Penn State is expanding their research capabilities and allowing undergraduate students to get their hands on new learning opportunities at Behrend.