University of Dayton Research Institute moves to first place in federally sponsored materials research

More federally sponsored materials research takes place at the University of Dayton Research Institute than at any other college or university in the United States, according to data recently released by the National Science Foundation.

Each year the NSF publishes statistics on academic research and development expenditures, comparing institutions of higher education in the areas of science, engineering and other research fields. According to new data released for fiscal year 2009, UD took the number one spot in federally funded materials research, previously held for a number of years by Penn State University.

“We’ve developed a core strength and great expertise in materials over 50 years,” said UDRI associate director Allan Crasto. UDRI conducts research in the development, characterization, production, scale up, testing and qualification of new materials. The Research Institute has strong capabilities in material substitution, corrosion, erosion, degradation and failure analysis, as well as composites, high-temperature materials, coatings, material repairs, corrosion protection, sealants, elastomers and more, Crasto said. UDRI is also a leader in developing multifunctional nanocomposite materials. “We provide a valuable service to our federal and commercial customers and have developed a national reputation for innovative but practical solutions to materials challenges.”

UDRI has held the number two spot in federally funded materials research since fiscal year ’99 – with the exception of ’05, when it was also ranked number one. Federal sponsors include the Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Energy and numerous other government agencies. Seventy six percent of UD’s total research volume of 96.5 million in 2009 was federally funded.

In fiscal year 2002, UDRI jumped from fifth place to second in the nation in materials research sponsored by all funding sources (industry, federal and others combined), and has held steady at number two since.

Other notable rankings include: number 11 in the nation for federally sponsored engineering research, number eight in the nation for research sponsored by the Department of Defense, number one in Ohio for all-sponsored materials research and for federally sponsored engineering research, and number two in Ohio for all-sponsored STEM research.

Each year, sponsored research programs at the University of Dayton provide real-world research opportunities to nearly 300 undergraduate and graduate students working with more than 500 professional and faculty researchers from the Research Institute, the School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences.