The sensor industry has a new ally. The OSU University Multispectral Laboratories (UML), located in Ponca City, Okla., is a national center focused on the test, evaluation and implementation of defense, homeland security, energy and intelligence systems. The UML brings university researchers together with government and industry to rapidly and efficiently advance new sensor technologies and capabilities to end users, primarily the U.S. military and first responders.
Since its creation in 2006, the UML has forged relationships with numerous companies, government agencies and universities. These include: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory, USA Biometrics Fusion Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Republic Aero, AT&T and ConocoPhillips. The UML works with these groups and others to develop sensor technologies needed by its clients.
"Our collaborations with universities and other agencies are essential to the mission of the UML," said Stephen McKeever, Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer at Oklahoma State University and Executive Director of the UML. "Our military and first responders need innovative safety and security solutions. The UML is better able to provide these solutions with the participation of its partners throughout the country."
Although the UML is wholly owned by OSU, it is operated by Triton Scientific. Triton provides the leadership, management, and scientific and engineering staff required to execute the UML's broad variety of programs. Free from organizational conflicts of interest, Triton serves as a trusted agent to technology researchers, developers, manufacturers, government agencies, and end users.
"As a government-owned, contractor-operated facility, the UML is similar to other national labs, like Los Alamos, in both structure and operation," said Lab Director Web Keogh. "The UML's focus is not just on the individual technology that is being developed, but on the proper implementation of entire systems that enhance operational capabilities. The UML acts as a trusted agent because we have no ownership in the technologies or systems we are evaluating or helping to develop, allowing us to equally serve technology developers, government acquisition agents, and end users. For us, the key is fusing our analytical, technical and tactical expertise and solutions to meet the needs of the customer."
In addition to its partnerships with universities from around the country, the UML also receives significant support from local, state and federal groups. The Ponca City Development Authority provided a $2 million incentive to the UML in 2006. ConocoPhillips supplied another $2 million and donated the UML's current 70,000-square-foot laboratory to OSU. More than $3.1 million has also been appropriated by the U.S. Congress to support sensor development and other security-related technology. The state of Oklahoma has appropriated more than $6.6 million to the construction and renovation of UML facilities.
For more information about the UML and its partners, visit www.okstate-uml.org.