Goal: Research and technical needs of community, state and nation Provide unique opportunities for students –supervised, hands-on research –academia to work force transition Training for work force of the 21st century –interdisciplinary applications –teaming approaches Ten centers/laboratories/institutes –prominent centers –growth centers

Applied Research and Technology Program

Applied Physics Institute Goal: Application of Research to Industrial Problem Solving. Developed non-invasive, non- destructive chem. Characterization and testing system. –Neutrons, gamma, x-ray probe; scattering profiles –characterization by chemical profiles. Designed and developed instrumentation.

Applied Physics Laboratory Applications –Characterization of nuclear weapons –Analysis of elements (coal) –Detection of explosives –Analysis of mixed toxic and nuclear wastes –Detection of contraband (drugs)

Materials Characterization Labs Goal: provide applied research and services to industry. Promote educational and public services activities for Ogden College depts. Research/services –combustion, surface chem. –Polymer characterization –food chemistry

Materials Characterization Labs Established/ staffed laboratories : students essential Instrumentation : –elemental analysis –structural/ surface analysis –thermal analysis methodology –fluid bed combustor –gas chromatography –mass spectroscopy

Technical Assistance Center for Water Quality Congressionally - funded –SDWA; University based –Sponsor: Sen. McConnell Teaming Partner-KRWA Objectives: –Complement KY DOW –Develop Technical Assistance Center for USEPA Region 4 Funding- $4.0M / 5 years

Technical Assistance Center for Water Quality 1998 Program: –Assistance in Capacity Development (management and financial capacity) –Technical Assistance (Circuit Rider Program) –Source Water Protection (identification, assessment, management practices) –Innovative Technology applications –Database Management system for information storage and retrieval Other Centers

Technical Assistance Center for Water Quality

►Congressionally - funded Safe Drinking Water Act; University-based Sponsor: Senator Mitch McConnell ►Teaming Partner: Kentucky Rural Water Association ►Objectives: Complement Kentucky Division of Water Programs Develop Technical Assistance Center for USEPA Region 4 ►Funding: $4.0 M / 5 years

►1998 Program: Assistance in Capacity Development (management and financial capacity) Technical Assistance (Circuit Rider Program) Source Water Protection (identification, assessment, management practices) Innovative Technology applications Database Management system for information storage and retrieval ►Other Centers

Environmental Health and Safety Resource Laboratory

Goal: To provide students with fundamental skills in industrial hygiene Risk Assessment. Provide research and solutions for occupational and environmental problems in industry. Computer network established to allow students on-line capabilities for EH&S information for industrial processes and chemicals. Provide technical EH&S information to regional industrial representatives. Information exchange system operated by students.

Agricultural Research and Education Center Goal: To provide scientific agricultural education to students in fields of agribusiness, plant, animal and soil sciences; pre-forestry and pre-veterinary medicine. 753 acre Univ. farm for hands-on lab experiences and student projects in farm activities

Agricultural Research and Education Center The Leonard D. Brown Agricultural Exposition Center is a major public service facility for community. –More than 150 annual events; 100,000 people (4-H, FFA) –Community and student utilization of animal science labs. Cooperative Programs: –leaf composting ( City of Bowling Green) –golf course, turf management ( local community) –biotechnology ( Biology Department)

Cave and Karst Center Goal: To provide scientific assessment and research for karst problems 40% of eastern US is karst terrain. Karst affects surface and ground water pollution, land use, environment.

Cave and Karst Center Program: –Research to solve environmental problems affected by karst. –Conduct cooperative educational programs ( Mammoth Cave) –Provide service to public, private firms and governmental agencies.

Kentucky Climate Center To provide climatological data and information to public. Director is State Climatologist for Ky. –Oversees state-wide program –assists researchers in meteorology.

Kentucky Climate Center Assists commercial and state agencies in economic development ( incorporation of meteorological data) Added focus of program- packaging of data for commercial uses.

Applied Technology Transfer Center Goal: Facilitate knowledge and technology exchange among industry, academy, research institutes and governmental agencies. Organize workshops, conferences and seminars. Provide hands-on assistance to industry.

Applied Technology Transfer Center PROGRAM: –TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS. –ESTABLISH “VIRTUAL LABORATORY ( NSF) SILICON GRAPHICS WORKSTATIONS. RAPID PROTOTYPING OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS. STUDENTS GAIN APPLIED EXPERIENCE IN DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF INDUSTRIAL COMPONENT PARTS. CONVERSION OF 3-D DESIGN MODELS TO ACTUAL PARTS IN MINUTES.

Biotechnology Center Goal: To train students in recombinant genetic methods for post-grad studies and competition in the work place. Biotechnology: New innovative field in biology with vast industrial and research opportunities.

Biotechnology Center Cooperative Educational Opportunities –Biology/ Agriculture –Genetic expression applications (plant growth and production) Marketing capabilities to Biotechnology Companies. –Working ties with 2 regional and 1 international company –Future attraction for biotechnology companies to relocate to Bowling Green. Significant opportunities for students, faculty, staff and city of Bowling Green.

Biodiversity Center To establish understanding that economic health depends upon the biological health of the environment. Ky is unique for a variety of biological communities and ecosystems. Concern for quality of our lakes, rivers, productivity of forests and farmland utilization

Biodiversity Center Program: –Establish biodiversity information clearing house at Western. –Develop outreach program ( public schools, museums, civic groups –Conduct baseline research studies ( establish standard methods) –Provide biodiversity information to the public ( economic development, environmental assessment/ management)

Applied Research and Technology Program Opportunity to showcase the wide variety of expertise at Western. Opportunity to provide students with hands-on training and experience. Opportunity to expand the transition of students from academia to post-graduate studies and the work place. Opportunity to apply Western’s capabilities to needs of the regional and national communities.