The PDL approach differs from traditional university engineering research in several significant ways

  • Push versus Pull

    • Traditional university engineering research typically pursues a “push” approach where faculty seek to find applications for their particular technical expertise through very specific grant proposals written to government agencies.

    • The PDL pursues a “pull” approach in which a general expertise in device and software creation is applied to wide variety of engineer-design-build projects provided by clients.

  • Innovation Source

    • Traditional university engineering research typically innovates (i.e. generates intellectual property and patents) solely through the activities of the faculty and students funded by the project

    • The PDL innovates through close interaction with the client. Typically, it is the client that provides the initial new-and-novel idea. The PDL innovates by making this idea a reality. Close interaction between the client and PDL staff typically continues throughout the project.

  • Deliverables

    • Traditional university engineering research’s primary deliverable is typically a publication in an academic journal

    • The PDL’s primary deliverable is a device or software meeting the needs of the client.

  • Cost

    • Traditional university engineering research typically uses standard funding methods requiring year-long commitments costing $100,000 or more.

    • The PDL, in addition to standard methods, uses revenue sharing methods that can significantly reduce cost particularly for entrepreneurs.

 

 

What Administrators are saying

"You have flipped the entire US university small business innovation model on its head: Innovation does not have to originate from the university, does not have to be performed by Ph.D students, and does not have to involve big dollars."

Kirt Fuller
Assistant Director, Industry and Strategic Transactions
Office for Commercialization and Corporate Development (OCCD), Research Office
Oregon State University

"The recent collaboration between the Prototype Development Lab (PDL), led by Prof. John Parmigiani, and OMIC R&D has showcased a model of successful handshake between academic higher learning and industry relevant research.  I believe, this success stems from the synergy of visions between our two institutions.   The key drivers include: training students and industrial workforce, innovating, and creating production relevant solutions.”

Urmaze Naterwalla
Head of Research & Development
Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center
Research & Development

"The PDL uses a unique approach to product development.  As the manager of one of the prototyping labs used by the student engineers in the PDL I see them focus much of their energies on the creation of functional physical prototypes for their client's designs.  I know the PDL staff employs a large amount of applied, hands-on engineering in the design and testing of their prototypes and they use a wide range of manufacturing techniques to construct them.  This gives their clients the opportunity to easily innovate on their ideas with the PDL, as the prototypes can be readily shared, handled, tested and evaluated.  The clients that have visited my prototyping lab have always expressed appreciation for the applied product design approach used by the PDL and are impressed by its effectiveness."
 
Brian Jensen
MIME Lab Manager
School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Oregon State University