April 2018
In this Issue:
  • Shocker Innovation Corps accepting applications for STEM-related ideas/projects
  • Get your idea off the ground with E-Launch
  • WSU - SKEDD Regional Economic Diversification Summit
  • Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights for current SBIR/STTR Grantees
  • MBUSI Innovation Challenge
  • Spirit AeroSystems and WSU announce significant R&D, training agreement
  • Physics professor’s innovative concept could revolutionize space expoloration
  • NASA Awards Research Grant to Develop More Efficient Water Management Systems for Space Exploration
  • Going global: How a special Airbus project marked tangible proof of the promise of WSU's innovation campus
  • Five students chosen for prestigious national innovation program
  • Upcoming Events
Shocker Innovation Corps accepting applications for STEM-related ideas/projects
Applications for the summer Shocker Innovation Corps (I-Corps) session are due Friday, May 18. Shocker I-Corps nurtures and supports WSU entrepreneurial teams interested in transitioning their STEM-related ideas, devices, processes or other intellectual activities into the marketplace in anticipation of profit. Participants receive seed funding, customer validation training, mentoring, and much more. Ideas/projects can originate from student work, research (funded or unfunded) and institutional/industrial projects. Wichita State University is a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site.
Get your idea off the ground with E-Launch
Do you have an idea for an exciting new business? E-Launch fosters entrepreneurial activity, leading to the commercialization of technology-based ideas. The next begins May 18 on Fridays from 1-4 p.m. in the Devlin Hall Innovation Hub.
WSU - SKEDD Regional Economic Diversification Summit
Multisector Collaboration Supporting Sustained Economic Growth for America’s Communities
Wichita State University, South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) and the Economic Development Administration invite you to participate in a Regional Economic Diversification Summit (REDS) on May 23, 2018 at Wichita State University. The REDS will focus on four topic areas: Workforce Development, Innovation/Knowledge Transfer, Broadband Expansion and Trade/Export Development; This is a working meeting with discussions on ways to implement projects in the 14 county region of Butler, Chautauqua, Crowley, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Marion, McPherson, Reno, Rice, Sedgwick and Sumner. For more information contact  Debbie Franklin , 316-978-5209.
MBUSI Innovation Challenge
The 2018 MBUSI Innovation Challenge is an opportunity to engage the college and professional startup community to take on critical challenges faced in production flow management, big data efficiencies, and digital communications using creative business strategy, software development, technology solutions, and more. Challenge areas include: continuous improvement, robot intelligence, big data, digital knowledge-sharing, apps and employee engagement. The registration deadline is May 15.
Spirit AeroSystems and WSU announce significant R&D, training agreement
Spirit AeroSystems and Wichita State University announced a new collaboration agreement, bringing with it new opportunities for students and the area workforce. The agreement, focused on accelerating research and development and improving workforce training services, establishes an innovative relationship with Spirit through WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research and the Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology . Three areas of strategic focus will include applied learning opportunities for WSU students, joint strategic research projects, and improved workforce training services to meet the growing demands of the aerospace industry. Spirit will establish a presence at Wichita State by leasing space in the Partnership 2 Building north of the Experiential Engineering Building on the east side of campus. Read more…
Physics professor's innovative concept could revolutionize space exploration
Wichita State University physics professor Nickolas Solomey has won one of NASA’s coveted Innovation and Advanced Concept Awards for his research to create a neutrino detector for close sun orbit. It could revolutionize the way scientists study the sun and provide new insights into particle physics. Read more…
NASA awards research grant to develop more efficient water management systems for space exploration
Efficient and compact cooling and water management systems are critical to human exploration of space. Two mechanical engineers at Wichita State University are researching ways to improve cooling efficiency and water recycling systems by developing a new device that affects water liquid-to-vapor changes. NASA has awarded a $750,000 grant to a research effort led by Wichita State University's Gisuk Hwang and Rajeev Nair, assistant professors in mechanical engineering, to develop more efficient and compact thermal and water management systems. Read more…
Going global: How a special Airbus project marked tangible proof of the promise of WSU's innovation campus
Today, in Toulouse, France, at Airbus’ headquarters, sits a prototype that could revolutionize a critical component in the aerospace world. And for Wichita, a city where much has already been made of advanced manufacturing, it also serves as a tangible example of the cutting edge of advanced engineering that would not have been possible without the partnerships and infrastructure created through the innovation campus at Wichita State University.  Read more…
Five students chosen for prestigious national innovation program
Five Wichita State students were recently chosen to become University Innovation Fellows, a prestigious national program that empowers student leaders and challenges them to be innovative. Jessica Aldrich, Kyle Kopecky, Spencer Lueckenotto, Austin Nordyke and William Valentine will use innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity and design thinking to plan strategic priorities to increase campus engagement and to create new experiences for WSU. Read more…
Upcoming Events:
Shocker Innovation Corps
Student STEM projects, ideas eligible for $2,150 from Shocker Innovation Corps.
GoCreate, A Koch Collaborative
GoCreate is a premier makerspace open to creators of all ages and experiences.