New role, focus and name for Kansas State University's Advanced Manufacturing Institute
Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019
The Advanced Manufacturing Institute at Kansas State University is now the Technology Development Institute, which has a focus of improving the economic competitiveness of Kansas companies, communities and the university's students. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering's Advanced Manufacturing Institute at Kansas State University is transitioning to the Technology Development Institute to more accurately reflect the institute's broadening activity focus in developing, protecting and launching new technologies.
The new organizational direction is designed to help expand and promote the institute's services to a range of partners, including industry, entrepreneurs, university researchers and the community.
Founded in 1985 as a Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation Center of Excellence, the Advanced Manufacturing Institute originally focused on research of advanced manufacturing processes and providing technical assistance to manufacturers across Kansas. Over time, its mission has expanded to facilitate the creation of new products and technologies anywhere in the world and provide assistance to ensure these innovations are successfully commercialized. Since 1995, the institute has executed over 2,700 projects, assisted more than 650 Kansas companies and organizations, and employed/trained more than 600 Kansas State University engineering and business student interns.
Under its new name, the Technology Development Institute, or TDI for short, will continue expanding its efforts to improve the economic competitiveness of Kansas companies, communities and Kansas State University students, said Jeff Tucker, executive director of the institute.
"This vision will be achieved through continuing efforts to evaluate potential opportunities, provide engineering, prototyping and testing support, and assisting local communities in innovation and growth efforts," Tucker said. "This transformation is the next evolution of strategic engagement in the state's innovation-based economy and beyond."
The Technology Development Institute recently secured a five-year grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration University Center program and the Kansas Department of Commerce to assist in this transition process.
"Through this federal and state partnership, TDI will not only continue to serve manufacturers of the Midwest but over time will expand its innovation services to a broader array of technology companies and build deeper development collaborations with industry partners, university researchers and communities alike," Tucker said.
The Technology Development Institute provides a broad range of engineering and business development services to both private industry and university researchers to advance the commercial readiness of new products or technologies. Additional information can be found at k-state.edu/tdi.
