Design and Innovation Center ( DICE )

Any branch of engineering involves not only solving problems, but anticipating new problems and envisioning new, novel, innovative advances that ultimately improve the quality of human life. 

From the perspective of a commercial enterprise, innovation and improvement of products, processes or services are vital to its competitiveness, success and even its continued existence.  Because of increasing global competition in virtually all spheres of activity, particularly since the improvement of worldwide communication via the internet, continued product/process improvements, innovations are vital to successful businesses.  In fact, with respect to consumer products, it has been said that one must innovate or perish. 

From the perspective of a regional or state government, innovation and advances with respect to products, processes or services are ultimately reflected in economic vitality and prosperity for its residents.  Such advances and innovations are often the basis for the creation of new small and medium entrepreneurial initiatives and growth companies that give rise to much of this economic vitality and prosperity.  With the proposed center, these entrepreneurial initiatives -- ‘engines of economic growth’ -- are a natural and direct result of its activities. 

The proposed Center will establish direct interactions with CSU’s College of Engineering, other Colleges of CSU, and area-regional companies and institutions – all having a common interest in innovation, product/process improvement, and increased global competitiveness.  The fact that Colleges other than the College of Engineering will play an active role in this center reflects the multidisciplinary nature of many of today’s most challenging technical and business problems.  In addition to engineering design and innovation, costs, marketing, social/environmental impacts, and ultimately business viability may all be part of an overall ‘problem’ solution.  This center will engage teams of students, faculty and business partners to address such complex situations associated with product and process design innovations.

While such real problems will be routinely addressed by the Center, the creative and imaginative ideas of students and faculty can also be an exciting and fulfilling part of the academic experience at CSU.  Thus, in addition to the value imparted by a traditional engineering curriculum, the opportunity for investigating, designing and developing novel and creative devices, systems and products by students and faculty will exist.  Furthermore, the commercialization of those innovative products/systems/processes will be actively encouraged and promoted directly by the Center.  Some of these investigations may lead to filing of patents, licensing and commercialization – to the benefit of both the originators and the university. 

As part of encouraging technology transfer and commercialization, both the College of Business and the College of Science, in cooperation with the Industrial Engineering Department faculty of Fenn College, will offer courses dealing with entrepreneurship, and related aspects of business management, marketing, risk management, etc. 

A component of the entrepreneurial aspects of the Center will derive from an educational partnership with 5iTech Inc. (Leon Pollot, President), presently located in MAGNET facility on the CSU campus.  5iTech has a history of accomplishment of both (1) creating start-up companies and licensing of new technologies, and (2) training/educating graduate students in entrepreneurship via real-world start-up experiences.
  
Perhaps most importantly, the environment and atmosphere created by all of the preceding design/innovation/entrepreneurial activities will be invaluable.  Such an atmosphere generates increased enthusiasm and excellence in the student body, ultimately being reflected in increased university reputation, prestige, and increased student enrollments.

Finally, the potential for community outreach is substantial.  Specifically, the Center will actively support collaboration, educational programs and internships for talented high school and even grade school students.  It is also intended that The Center will have even an international dimension, involving teams of senior-level or graduate students from both CSU and selected partnering international universities who will work cooperatively on the design of a complex device or system.  In addition, summer internship opportunities may be provided to select international students on a project-specific basis.