Research: Cutting edge research is conducted throughout the Region.  

University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) research centers and institutes are actively working to solve problems worldwide while expanding our scientific knowledge. Their research faculty routinely works on projects with ramifications that push the boundaries of their respective fields of study:

Dr. David Summers of the UMR Rock Mechanics and Explosives Research Center is finding ways to detect and disable land mines with his center’s high pressure waterjet technology.

Dr. Delbert Day of the Materials Research Center is using glass to repair bones and ease suffering from arthritis. He has previously used glass as a cancer treatment and as a paving material.

Dr. Joel Burken of the Environmental Research Center is using plants and trees to clean polluted soil and groundwater.

Dr. K. M. Isaac of the Intelligent Systems Center is developing crawling, flying robotic bugs that could one day help us study other planets by gathering information and sending it back to researchers here on Earth.

Dr. Richard Stephenson of the National Hazards Mitigation Institute is trying to find out why some of Egypt’s antiquities are deteriorating rapidly and how to slow the decay.

Many of the research projects on campus are the efforts of multiple departments. This interdisciplinary research offers opportunities for students to integrate their studies and learn to apply their skills and knowledge to current research. With state-of-the-art equipment and internationally renowned leaders, the centers are at the cutting edge of research on today’s problems and tomorrow’s technology.

UMR has major interdisciplinary research organizations:

Center of Excellence for Aerospace Particulate Reduction Research

Center for Environmental Science and Technology (CEST)
Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies

Environmental Research Center

Intelligent Systems Center

Materials Research Center

Rock Mechanics & Explosives Research Center

UMR hosts a University System-wide Missouri Transportation Institute

UMR has the following focused research centers:

CDNA Resource Center
Center for Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies
Center for Cold Formed Steel Structures
Center for Educational Research and Teaching Innovation (CERTI)
Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach
Center for Pyrometallurgy
Center for Technology-Enhanced Learning (CTEL)
Design Engineering Center
Electronic Materials Applied Research Center (EMARC)
Energy Research and Development Center
Engineering Education Center at St. Louis
Industrial Assessment Center
Lemay Center for Composite Tech.
Manufacturing Research and Training Center
Missouri Local Transportation Resource Center
Piezoelectric Motor Research
Repair of Buildings & Bridges with Composites (RB²C)
Student Design Center
University Transportation Center
Wei Wen Yu Center For Cold Formed Steel Structures

UMR has the following labs and facilities:

Advanced Materials Characterization Laboratory (AMCL)
Applied Microwave Nondestructive Testing Laboratory
Cloud & Aerosol Science Lab
Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory
Electron Microscope Lab
Experimental Mine Facility
High Pressure Waterjet Lab
Integrated Systems Facility
Laboratory For Atomic, Molecular & Optical Research
Laboratory for Information Technology Evaluation - LITE
Nuclear Reactor
Space Systems Engineering
Structural Stability Research Council
Virtual Reality & Rapid Prototyping Lab
Western Historical Manuscript Collection

UMR has the following institutes:

Applied Language Institute
Coatings Institute
Institute For Applied Math
Institute for Environmental Excellence
Institute of Applied Mathematics
Institutional Research and Assessment
Natural Hazard Mitigation Institute (NHMI)

Education:  Within the FLW Region is a wide range of higher education opportunities that serve as advanced engines for regional businesses and the economy. These entities are particularly advantageous for advanced manufacturing and R&D operations.

With 5,500 students, the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) is home to a nationally ranked engineering school and a multitude of technology disciplines.

Phelps County also has four satellite campuses in Rolla for : Columbia College, Drury University, East Central College and Lincoln University.  It also is home to the Rolla Technical Institute and the Rolla Technical Center. 

In Pulaski County, the Truman Education Campus  at Fort Leonard Wood is open to everyone in the region. It supports seven different colleges and universities and grants more than 650 degrees per year including associate, bachelor's and master's degrees.  Its institutions include: Central Texas College, Columbia College, Drury University, Lincoln University, Park University, University of Missouri Rolla, and Webster University

Laclede County has extensive degree offerings from three top institutions in Lebanon: Drury University, Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical College.

Technology Transfer: A number of programs exist in the region to support the effective transfer of technology from the laboratory to the market place.

UMR's Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach integrates the activities of UMR faculty, students and small business clients by linking with R&D-based firms, creating commercialization opportunities and identifying business issues that require public policy attention.

Missouri Enterprise operates in Rolla one of the state’s four Innovation Centers which provide technical assistance and incubation services to new and expanding technology-based businesses throughout the region and the state.

Advanced Manufacturing: Advanced manufacturing is supported by a number of organizations within the region.

UMR provides a number of degree programs and certificate programs related to advanced manufacturing processes, technologies and skills.

Missouri Enterprise provides a full program of advanced manufacturing education and training, both in regional centers and on factory premises. It is currently providing an advanced manufacturing specialist certification program through Department of Labor funding. The curriculum focuses on "Six Sigma," business skills, "Lean Enterprise" and practical shop-floor application and experience. DOL funding makes this a free course for those qualified to take it. 

Missouri Enterprise also takes "Six Sigma" and "Lean" implementation to your factory floor and office. It can tailor a complete program to transform your culture and operations to cutting edge "Lean."