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NIST in Kansas

$128M 

in financial awards from NIST to organizations in the state of Kansas since 2022.

NIST supports key sectors in Kansas

Aerospace, aviation, and defense

  • In FY 2024, NIST supported Kansas with $49.5 million for the Aerospace Innovation and Training Hub at Kansas State University Salina and the Kansas National Security Innovation Center at KU Innovation Park. NIST also supported Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research with $5 million for advanced manufacturing technology and equipment.
  • Kansas aerospace and defense manufacturers rely on NIST reference materials for aluminum, titanium, glass, fuels, solders, thermal analysis, polymers,
    hydraulic systems and more to ensure small engineering tolerances and the highest quality control for parts where failure would cause catastrophic losses.
  • NIST standards, calibrations and other services ensure accuracy in measurements of altitude and airspeed, and in remote sensing via satellites. The atomic clocks used by global positioning systems and telecommunications networks rely on precision timekeeping disseminated by NIST, starting with the NIST primary standard atomic clock.
  • NIST supports deployment of the fifth generation of wireless communications including providing world-class test beds for characterizing antennas for space applications. This research helps the industry make smaller antennas for smaller, less expensive satellites.

Food and agriculture

  • NIST’s library of reference materials helps to ensure that foods grown or eaten in the U.S. are safe from contaminants that could cause illness to consumers. Kansas companies rely on NIST reference materials such as nutritional formula and whole milk powder to check their food safety testing methods and help them comply with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act.

Advanced manufacturing

  • Since FY 2020, Kansas Manufacturing Solutions, part of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, has received over $11 million in federal funds from NIST, with over $9.3 million matched in nonfederal funds, to help Kansas manufacturers compete in the rapidly changing global marketplace and support economic growth.

With the help of Kansas Manufacturing Solutions, United Rotary Brush Corp. moved its plant from Lenexa to Olathe to consolidate operations. Project management experts from Kansas Manufacturing Solutions ensured that the consolidation remained on task and on time. The manufacturer has realized $1.2 million in cost savings as a result of the move.

  • Kansas Manufacturing Solutions helped SOR Controls Group with hazardous waste management and assessments that resulted in cost savings through improved employee safety, environmental regulation compliance and sustainability improvements.

Biotechnology, life sciences and health care

  • In FY 2023, NIST supported Kansas in modernizing and enhancing health care capabilities with over $27 million for the University of Kansas Medical Center
    Research Institute for planning, and for construction of a research facility at the KU Cancer Center.
  • NIST reference materials help the biotechnology industry with quantitative analytical measurement tools for nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites and cell systems so that manufacturers can monitor and improve manufacturing methods and products — and innovate more quickly.
  • NIST’s guidance on temperature control for vaccine storage has reduced waste by 30%, so more doses are available for more people. NIST’s calibration materials for magnetic resonance imaging help medical researchers develop quantitative tests that can rapidly determine if treatments for glioblastoma and other cancers are working, speeding clinical decisions.
  • Biopharmaceutical companies in Kansas rely on NIST’s monoclonal antibody reference material, essential to the reliable production of treatments made from living cell lines. These newer drugs can treat cancers, autoimmune diseases and other diseases that are resistant to traditional treatments.
  • NIST provides near real-time identification of illicit street drugs submitted by state partners and has now expanded this program into over 10 states. Reports on trends in detected drugs along with never-before-seen substances are released to state labs monthly.

Energy and climate

  • Each year, NIST’s measurement standards help to validate the volume of liquid fuel in billions of dollars’ worth of transactions. Our calibrations of industrial natural gas flow meters ensure fair and transparent sales of millions of dollars’ worth of product. Trillions of dollars of commerce in the energy, aerospace, chemical, automotive and aerospace sectors are traceable back to NIST calibrations of gas flow meters.
  • NIST’s calibrated solar cells help manufacturers, energy providers, and researchers and test laboratories measure the output of their solar cells and modules. Among their many applications, these reference cells assure designers of solar powered satellites that they will produce enough electrical energy to provide essential functions, from GPS positioning to weather forecasting.
  • Kansas was struck by 44 tornadoes in 2023. NIST researchers and collaborators have improved the design of buildings to perform better under high wind conditions. Our recommendations have been incorporated into building codes, making new buildings safer.

MEP Success Stories

Aligning Leadership

Reported Year
2024
Trimac Industrial Systems was struggling to find their way through the chaos of growth and getting priorities of the company aligned.

Project Management Success

Reported Year
2024
United Rotary Brush was in need of help with a large, tactical detailed strategic plan and execution for their plant move from Lenexa to Olathe, KS. United Rotary Brush consolidated two buildings into one after lease ended for both locations. The Director of Supply Chain Management for United Rotary Brush relied on Kansas Manufacturing Solutions

Hazardous Waste Management

Reported Year
2024
Due to recent staffing changes, SOR Controls Group required assistance with ensuring regulatory compliance for hazardous waste management and disposal practices at its facility. SOR uses products such as thread lockers, paints, sealants and epoxy, and electrical potting materials. These include various hazardous chemicals such as ketones, phenols

News & Updates

Learn how NIST improves the lives of all Americans by conducting research and fostering collaborations that make possible everything from reliable vaccine storage and fair fuel transactions to next-generation MRIs and fair stock trades. Check out NIST Works for You.

Featured Video

Heroes of American Manufacturing: Mid Star Lab

Heroes of American Manufacturing: Mid Star Lab

Research Projects

Photonic Radiometry

Accurate characterization of photonic equipment is important for optical communications, medical devices, semiconductor lithography, manufacturing and materials