Since 2002, sensors and sensor-related technologies have been identified and pursued as a major research focus at Oklahoma State University.  Although already a research strength for OSU at the time, the receipt of $19 million from the Oklahoma legislature through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in 2003 launched the program to even higher levels.  The funding allowed for the expansion of several sensor-focused laboratories, including 13 new Biosafety Level 3 labs to support chemical and biological sensor research.  OSU now maintains the highest concentration of biosafety labs in Oklahoma.

The funding also helped to upgrade and/or add faculty positions, which now total more 60, in the areas of physics, microbiology, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and others that focus on the development of new sensor technology.  Additionally, the OSRHE investment helped to purchase cutting-edge, multi-user equipment for research labs and facilities—equipment that has been essential to the acquisition of major grant funding from agencies like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. 

Since 2003, OSU has garnered an additional $80 million in external funding to support its sensor research program.     

“By choosing this as a key area of research at OSU we have leveraged existing core strengths and matched current national priorities,” said Stephen McKeever, vice president for research and technology transfer.  “Evidence of our progress can be seen in the increase in licensed sensor technologies, the formation of start-up sensor companies, and the continued growth in support from external funding sources.”

OSU’s international collaboration of sensor researchers work on the creation of new science, technology, high-tech companies and jobs through projects with strong commercial potential.  Sensor projects are represented throughout the various university departments and cover a range of sensor types.