UDRI  Breaks Record; Research Volume Tops $53 Million

In an economy that still hasn't stabilized, the reputation of the University of Dayton Research Institute has remained strong and steady, which could explain why UDRI was able to attract record-dollar contracts for fiscal year 2003. For the first time in its history, UDRI topped the $50 million mark by bringing in research volume of more than $53 million, up nearly $7 million from FY 2002.

Nationally, UDRI is the largest nonmedical research facility on a Catholic university campus and performs the most sponsored research in the area of materials, second only to Penn State University, according to the National Science Foundation.

UDRI is the first in Ohio and ranks 16th in the country among non-profit institutions receiving Department of Defense research contracts and grants.

Some of the key accomplishments in FY 2003:    

• The von Ohain Fuels and Combustion Center was established to develop better, cheaper jet  fuel, first in military aircraft and later in commercial jets.
• UDRI received $1.75 million to advance a new ultrasonic inspection technology that looks for defects in the military’s aging aircraft, a process for the Turbine Engine  Sustainment Initiative.
• Wright-Patterson Air Force Base awarded a five-year, $31.5 million contract for ongoing research in the von Ohain Fuels and Combustion Center.   
• From his Third Frontier Project, Governor Taft awarded $2 million in nanotechnology research.

Looking ahead, UD will announce the arrival of a world-class scholar as the endowed chair in nanomaterials, which will help position Dayton as a leader in nanotechnology and aerospace research, and is expected to formalize plans for a nano engineering, science and technology center that will provide state-of-the-art resources for researchers, faculty and students.

July 24, 2003

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