On August 14, the Innovation 2 Market (I2M) Patent Showcase was held in Champaign for businesses and investors to learn about featured technologies developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). This event highlighted commercial-ready technologies developed by the U.S. Army ERDC’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL)—including innovations in 3D concrete printing, clean water solutions, rapid-deploy shelters, and more.
Dr. Sumesh Philip from the School of Information Technology participated in a signing ceremony during the event, marking the University’s new partnership with ERDC. Philip, associate professor of cybersecurity, is conducting research focused on control system cybersecurity and machine learning methods.
Lynn Zanow, a technology transfer officer with the ERDC Office of Research and Technology Transfer, noted during the ceremony that CERL is entering into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Illinois State for the purpose of providing joint conduct of research and development investigations related to the control system cybersecurity and machine learning methods.
Dr. Craig McLauchlan, associate vice president for research, was also on hand for the ceremony. “We have had a formal partnership between ISU and CERL for a little over two years,” McLauchlan said. “Largely, we’ve seen success in that partnership with placement of students in internships, including two internships that led to ISU students winning the CERL Research Assistant of the Year.
“In addition, we’ve been visiting each other’s campuses and enabling interactions among the CERL technical staff and our faculty and staff. After so many of those visits, it is nice to formalize a research relationship with one of our ISU faculty, and I am pleased to see Dr. Philip willing to engage in this way.”
“The signing of this CRADA represents a broadening of the relationship between ERDC-CERL and ISU, moving from student internships and support to academic curriculum to truly joint research efforts. I expect this agreement will be the first of many as we continue to build this partnership right here in Central Illinois,” said Dr. Andy Nelson, director of the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory.
“Acknowledging and celebrating successful partnerships is vital for continued collaboration and innovation,” said Zanow. “What a great team effort between the ERDC Technology Transfer Officers, our Partnership Intermediary (ERDCWERX), Illinois State University, and our respective attorneys and leaderships in establishing this agreement.”
For more, visit: erdc.usace.army.mil/locations/CERL
