Applied Research & Commercialization
Access to University facilities and expertise
The Innovation Lab, as a doorway to CSU Chico’s resources, makes it easy to align private sector needs and ideas with the right subject matter expert or laboratory facilities.
CSU Chico’s College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management has a tradition of hands-on applied education and research. The University can assist start-ups, as well as mid-market companies developing new products, with research, testing, prototype development, and feasibility analysis.
Most commercialization projects are contracted on an individual company/university contact basis, ensuring a direct communication chain and security of trade secret or proprietary information. Additionally, sponsored research (NSF, USDA, DOE, DOD, etc) conducted by faculty is often required to be disseminated to industry and can often be valuable to the private sector.
Applied Research
Recent Projects have included:
- Alternative Energy
- BioFuels
- BioPlastics
- Recycled/Reformulated Engineering Plastics
- Computer Animation/Simulation
- Agricultural Robots
- Water Purification Systems
List of Recent Sponsored Projects (PDF)
Prototype Construction
The University is equipped to assist with:
- Design/Engineering
- Rapid Prototype
- Traditional Machining, Casting
- Assembly
Feasibility Evaluation
Faculty and students can provide objective assessments:
- Manufacturing Evaluations
- Process Design
- Market Research
Product Testing and Monitoring
CSU Chico has the specialized equipment and technical expertise to assist with:
- Mechanical, Environmental, Chemical Testing
- Material Tests for Tensile, Impact, Deflection, Strength
- Weathering
- DSC
- Failure Mode Evaluation
Faculty & Study Expertise
To find University faculty with expertise in your field of interest, please visit CSU, Chico's searchable database of Faculty Experts.
How to Get Started
Contact Daren Otten, Innovation Lab Co-Manager.