OU to celebrate grand opening of Research and Innovation Center

On May 20, Oakland University will celebrate the grand opening of the School of Engineering and Computer Science’s Research and Innovation Center (RIC), a 48,700 square foot facility located in Rochester Hills, Mich. that will house bioengineering, mechanical, electrical, industrial, and computer science labs, and serve as a hub for research conducted in partnership with industry.

“The new Research and Innovation Center at Oakland University marks a pivotal step in fostering a new culture of discovery and collaboration,” said Louay Chamra, dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science (SECS). “This state-of-the-art facility will empower our faculty, students, and industry partners to push the boundaries of innovation and tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time.”

The new facility is located at 2871 Research Drive in Rochester Hills, two miles from Oakland University’s main campus. It currently includes a collaborative space with an open kitchen with a 16-person table, four café style booths, seven private offices, and two large tables for additional community workspace. A 36-person conference room is also equipped with the latest audio-visual technology. This space has been used for continuing education, university meetings, and to host industry events.

In addition, the facility is also home to multiple faculty research labs — five high-bay and six low-bay — that support research in the areas of advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, data science and cybersecurity; autonomous and connected systems; bioengineering; and power and energy.

"The Research and Innovation Center is a cornerstone of progress for the School of Engineering and Computer Science, offering vital space for cutting-edge faculty research labs,” said Dr. Daniel Aloi, SECS director of research. “Fueled by the dedication of our faculty and students, who have secured over $10 million in external research funding annually for three consecutive years, this center embodies our commitment to excellence.

“Equipped with $6 million in new advanced measurement capabilities from federal funds, it is poised to spearhead and grow our research in strategic thrust areas,” Aloi added. “Beyond academia, these capabilities promise to catalyze economic development and industry partnerships, cementing our role as a driving force for innovation in Michigan."

Mitsubishi Electric Automotive USA has donated a vehicle simulator to the SECS-RIC, which provides an unparalleled platform for immersive experimentation and research, and provided $127,000 in funding to Professors Vijit Pandey and Osamah Rawashdeh for a study entitled “Using a Driving Simulator to Collect Data on Driving Performance.”

In addition, the SECS-RIC has received two separate $3 million federal community project awards through the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The first $3 million award was supported by U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and will allow OU to acquire an automotive antenna measurement system (AAMS) that performs full-scale vehicle antenna pattern measurements (APM) and over-the-air (OTA) testing of wireless systems.

“As the only multi-user, shared-use unit with this capability in the United States, the acquisition of this instrument would make a significant regional and national impact on advanced mobility research & development and workforce development,” Aloi said. “This acquisition will significantly enhance OU’s research infrastructure and directly impact multiple ongoing externally funded programs. It will also facilitate research training for postdoctoral associates, graduate and undergraduate students, outreach activities involving K-12 students, and existing and future industrial collaborations.”

The second $3 million award was supported by Rep. John James and will allow OU to establish an interdisciplinary, multi-level, and multi-functional facility to address challenges in vehicle electrification on a national and regional basis. This facility will include a full spectrum of research and development capabilities for electrifying automotive systems, ranging from battery material fabrication and characterization, electrified powertrain management, and chassis dynamometer testing to vehicle-level integration and optimization.

“We anticipate many nearby units will use the new facility, including automotive original equipment manufacturers, Tier-I/II suppliers, federal laboratories, and academic institutions,” Aloi said. “This facility will enable Michigan and the U.S. to close a critical technology gap in prototyping, testing, and standards development for competitive electrification solutions.

“Under the leadership of OU faculty with diverse expertise in advanced mobility, the proposed facility will be used for standards development, certification, and research activities. Faculty, undergraduate, and doctoral students will gain valuable experience operating and maintaining this facility,” he added. “In addition, this facility will serve as a training hub to grow the Michigan workforce and enrich our outreach program for the local community.”

Reps. Stevens and James have been invited to attend the May 20 grand opening, along with Sen. Gary Peters, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, and representatives from the City of Rochester Hills.

“The Research and Innovation Center will launch a new era in engineering and computer science research at Oakland University,” said Dr. David Stone, OU vice president for research. “This new facility will house a national asset for testing and development of the next generation of automotive technology, and will serve as a hub for industry collaboration. For our faculty, our students, and our region, we could not be more excited about its opening.”