Active R&D Projects

The Sensors and Automation (S&A) R&D portfolio is focused on three areas: advanced sensor technologies; improved information processing, next generation control & automation and robotics; and affordable wireless technologies. The current portfolio of active projects is listed below, along with contact information for the principal investigators. Note that most projects fall into more than one focus area.

Project fact sheets are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Improved Information Processing, Next Generation Control & Automation, and Robotics

Goals of this focus area are to optimize extraction of useful process information, develop predictive control systems to improve process control, and employ robotics to redesign productive processes.

SQA: Surface Quality Assured Steel Bar Program (PDF 1.2 MB)
Contact: Terence C. Liddy, OG Technologies, Inc.; (734) 973-7500
Robotically Enhanced Advanced Manufacturing Concepts

Affordable Wireless Technologies

The goal of this focus area is to improve industrial resource efficiency through the application of wireless technology to sensor/control systems.

ITP Role in Developing Transformational Wireless Technology (PDF 1.3 MB)
Eaton Wireless Sensor Network for Advanced Energy Management Solutions (PDF 1.2 MB)
Contact: Peter J. Marshall, Eaton Corporation; (414) 449-6886
Distributed Wireless Multisensor Technologies - A Novel Approach to Reducing Motor Energy Usage (PDF 1.2 MB)
Contact: Daniel Sexton, GE Global Research; (518) 387-4121
Wireless and Sensing Solutions Advancing Industrial Efficiency (PDF 1.2 MB)
Contact: Rama Budampati, Honeywell; (612) 951-7669
Wireless Telemetry for Industrial Applications (PDF 1.2 MB)

SBIR Grant Projects

Several Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant projects are also closely related to the Sensors and Automation portfolio.

Low-Cost Vibration Power Harvesting for Industrial Wireless Sensors (PDF 696 KB)