The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at Dallas hosted an open house Dec. 1 at its newest research and startup space in the Headquarters for the Richardson Innovation Quarter.
Attendees toured the facility, known as UTD @ the IQ, observed demonstrations by researchers and learned about the University’s partnership with the city of Richardson, Texas.
Dr. Joseph Pancrazio, vice president for research and innovation and professor of bioengineering at UTD, said he aims for the IQ to become a leading innovation zone, not only for the region, but for the country.
“UT Dallas has had, from inception, a mission of training, education and advancement of knowledge in science and technology,” Pancrazio said. “I argue that the modern obligation for a Tier One research institution goes beyond just educating the next generation. It has to do with translating what happens at the laboratory bench to the marketplace.”
The space, located at 1302 E. Collins Blvd. in Richardson, fosters collaborations between the University and corporations, supports the region’s startup and entrepreneur community, and advances UTD research.
The six resident research centers at the IQ headquarters represent a range of disciplines from multiple schools within the University. The centers focus on solutions related to their respective technology specialties, which include applied artificial intelligence; machine learning; imaging and surgical innovation; smart mobility; remote sensing; and design innovation.
The UT Dallas section of the facility also offers private offices and shared demo lab spaces for resident startups, as well as conference and meeting rooms and common-area, co-working spaces for the UTD @ the IQ community.
Here are the resident research centers at the Richardson IQ headquarters:
Center for Applied AI and Machine Learning (CAIML)
Center for Applied AI with UT Dallas Expertise (CAIQUE)
Center for Imaging and Surgical Innovation (CISI)
Center for Smart Mobility (COSMO)
Multi-Scale Integrated Intelligent Interactive Sensing (MINTS) Center
IQ Design
From left: Steve Guengerich, associate vice president for innovation and commercialization at UT Dallas; Amy Carenza, chief commercial officer at ActivePure; Brittany Huber, senior director of development and alumni relations at UTD; and Joe Urso, CEO and chairman of ActivePure, celebrated the Sept. 14 opening of the Richardson IQ headquarters.
Two North Texas companies are already leaving their mark at the Headquarters for the Richardson Innovation Quarter (IQ) by investing in both the IQ’s research and physical infrastructure.
ActivePure, a Dallas-based air and surface purification technology company, donated $200,000 to support the Multi-Scale Integrated Intelligent Interactive Sensing (MINTS) Center, led by Dr. David Lary, professor of physics at UTD. The center will develop and deploy a cost-effective irrigation decision-support tool to help municipalities, corporate campuses and homeowners save money by optimizing water usage.
The donation also included the installation of ActivePure’s technology systems throughout the IQ headquarters to help reduce bacteria, mold, fungus and viruses, including communicable diseases such as bird flu, swine flu and COVID-19.
“ActivePure is committed to helping the students and faculty at UT Dallas work toward new scientific findings and their commercialization,” said Joe Urso, CEO and chairman of ActivePure. “We are honored to contribute both financial and technology support to ensure UT Dallas can be a leader in innovation and the new frontier of safe, trusted and verified indoor air.”
ObjectSpectrum, a Frisco-based Internet of Things solution development company, provided equipment and expertise to support projects at UTD, the MINTS Center and the IQ headquarters. The company assisted with the configuration and deployment of a Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) at the MINTS Center, contributed to the installation of a LoRaWAN at the Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory on the UTD campus and is installing another at the Richardson IQ headquarters.
“As experts and advocates for LoRaWAN technology, we are pleased to assist MINTS with their efforts,” said Eric Lenington, founder and CEO of ObjectSpectrum. “The partnership with UT Dallas will continue to be a part of our mission to contribute to education and research.”
— Daniel Steele
