Gateway between Purdue engineers and industry expands opportunities for new technologies

January 27, 2011

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Engineering Consulting LLC, a startup in the Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette, will provide a new way for Purdue University engineering faculty to provide technical consulting services for private and public companies.

"It's a gateway between Purdue engineering and industry," said Robert Davis, general manager for Purdue Engineering Consulting. "Purdue University has a long-established strength in engineering, and our goal is to provide facilitated access to Purdue engineering expertise from all 13 schools of engineering to companies with tough problems to solve."

Davis said an advantage for Purdue's 370-plus engineering faculty is that the company will provide them with opportunities to develop relationships with industry while engaging in industry challenges in their respective fields of expertise.

"Purdue faculty consultants have extensive technical knowledge and experience in their own fields plus a cross-disciplinary, collaborative approach to solving problems. We want to share that body of knowledge with industry," he said. "Conversely, the gateway could provide additional research opportunities for faculty by providing foundational relationships between faculty and companies."

As part of the program, Purdue Engineering Consulting will provide marketing, contract negotiation and other business support, professional liability insurance and secure websites for industry and faculty engagements for private and public entities.

"Another goal of the company is to provide Purdue University with stronger ties to industry and increase engagement between Purdue engineering and the public while supporting retention and recruitment of faculty," Davis said.

Contact: Cynthia Sequin, 765-588-3340, casequin@prf.org

Source: Robert Davis, 765-494-3897, rndavis@purdue.edu