ISSN 2150-5128

University of Delaware Research Online Magazine

ONLINE MAGAZINE VOL 7 • NO 1

University of Delaware Research Online Magazine

ONLINE MAGAZINE

2017 Research Progress

University of Delaware researchers switched the innovation engine into full throttle in 2017, producing discoveries and inventions, winning major grants, inking new partnerships and preparing graduate and undergraduate students for a future of exploration. Here, we spotlight just a few of the year’s big moments.

FY 2017 Research Expenditures by Sponsor and Sponsored Program Expenditures Graphs
This photograph was taken on December 16, 2016, when the Commerce Department announced NIIMBL as the 11th Manufacturing USA Institute.

UD, ARGONNE SIGN PACT

A new partnership between the University of Delaware and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory will enhance the ability of these powerhouses to work together on any number of areas, with the focus on materials science to start.

Researchers met at UD in October to discuss opportunities ranging from potential materials for use in quantum computation, to novel catalysts for converting greenhouse gases into commodity chemicals. Joint projects begin this year.

Argonne National Laboratory Director Paul Kearns (left) and UD President Dennis Assanis shake hands on a new partnership.

 

Powerful Partners in Veteran Care

Designated a “military friendly” school, UD has collaborated on research with the Department of Defense and military for years. A new agreement signed in June 2017 with the Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center aims to enhance veteran care.

“Working with the VA, we will advance innovative medical research, improve patient care and prepare the next generation of health experts to care for our veterans,” UD President Dennis Assanis said.
“To have the prowess of this University side by side with us—faculty and staff providers at VA putting our veterans first­—not only here and now but also looking at research opportunities to improve what we do, is extremely exciting,” said Wilmington VA Director Vincent Kane.

U.S. veteran Brandon Bristor, graduate student in urban affairs and public policy, honors the fallen.

 

This photograph was taken on December 16, 2016, when the Commerce Department announced NIIMBL as the 11th Manufacturing USA Institute.

Innovation in Action

Patents are being issued to UD inventors, their technologies are being licensed, research agreements are being initiated and startup companies are launching.

As just one example, BASF’s new Velondis seed treatments contain a natural microbe, identified and patented at UD, that helps plants fight fungal disease.

Professors Janine Sherrier and Harsh Bais (below) are lead inventors on the patent, which the University has licensed exclusively to BASF. The biofungicides will be labeled initially for use with soybeans this spring.  


UD Research-driven Innovation
This photograph was taken on December 16, 2016, when the Commerce Department announced NIIMBL as the 11th Manufacturing USA Institute.
This photograph was taken on December 16, 2016, when the Commerce Department announced NIIMBL as the 11th Manufacturing USA Institute.
632,000sq. ft. of new office, lab and collaboration space is under construction at UD’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, including STAR Tower (shown here), the Biopharmaceutical Innovation Building and Chemours Discovery Hub, creating approximately 1,300 construction jobs. The new Newark Regional Transportation Center will drive further development.

 

New Business Incubator

Delaware Innovation Space Inc.—a new incubator for growing science-based business—has been established through a partnership of UD, the state and DuPont. Located at DuPont’s Experimental Station in Wilmington, it offers entrepreneurs lab and office space.

 

This photograph was taken on December 16, 2016, when the Commerce Department announced NIIMBL as the 11th Manufacturing USA Institute.

Learn more at research.udel.edu