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USTAR Projects

USTAR is an innovative, aggressive and far-reaching effort to bolster Utah 's economy with high-paying jobs and keep the state vibrant in the Knowledge Age.

The following USU faculty are involved with teams that are developing products and services that can be commercialized in new businesses and industries. More information regarding the details of each project will soon be posted.

Biofuels Initiative

Utah State University (USU) has been awarded a grant from the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) Economic Development Initiative to further develop its research facilities and infrastructure for biofuels research and development. USTAR has approved a budget for up to $6 million over five years beginning January 1, 2007. Building on a foundation of established research experiences and new strategic hires, USU aims to establish a sustainable multi-disciplinary research team that will develop new biomass feed stocks, develop highly efficient feedstock production units, maximize product yields, and process the products into commercial biofuels and other commercial products that will provide the basis for economic development activities within the State of Utah.

Executive Committee Members        Foci                                                              Department                      
Byard Wood (Director)                        Solar Bioreactor                                        Mechanical & Aerospace  
Ron Sims                                                Microalgae Feed Stock Production       Biological & Irrigation  
Lance Seefeldt                                      Microalgae Feedstock                             Chemistry & Biochemistry     
Conly Hansen                                         Anaerobic Digesters                                Nutrition & Food Sciences
http://biofuels.usu.edu for more information

Center for Active Sensing and Imaging

    
The principle focus of the USTAR active sensor group is ladar/lidar technology development for applications including environmental remote sensing, commercial imaging, and military intelligence gathering.  The team’s goals build on a foundation of established research and staff, augmented by new strategic hires, to:

• Create significant new business opportunities for Utah based on a world-class core competency in laser-based cameras
• Develop other innovative sensors
• Apply current and future IP to commercial applications
• Boost the creation of economically competitive products
• Contribute to US homeland security and national defense

Group Members                                               Department                                      
Robert Barson (Executive Director)  
Paul Israelsen                                                  Electrical & Computer Engineering
Gail Bingham                                                    Space Dynamics Laboratory
Tom Wilkerson                                                 Space Dynamics Laboratory
Allen Howard                                                     Physics