To strengthen small manufacturing for the defense industry
Cutting-Edge Research
Emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), automation and robotics, industrial internet of things (IIoT), quantum computing, and virtual reality and augmented reality (XR) hold tremendous potential to remake the American manufacturing base. However, fulfilling the potential of these technologies requires collaboration with key stakeholders; policy research; and workforce development.
The Knudsen Institute was founded on the idea that technology and policy must be developed in an integrated fashion. That will enable a truly resilient domestic manufacturing industrial base capable of meeting surge requirements.
Current Programs
Purdue Data Mine Sponsor
The Knudsen Institute is sponsoring two projects in the upcoming 2023-2024 semesters at The Data Mine at Purdue University. One project will examine supply chain trends on industrial parts procurement in the automotive industry during supply chain disruptions. Students will be working on time series US import export data of automotive components and looking to describe and model this behavior. The other project will identify interchangeable and non-interchangeable manufacturing capacities for emerging EV production from conventional ICE production. In this project students will be working on identifying manufacturing capacities which can be utilized in both electric and non electric vehicle’s component manufacturing.
Autonomous Data Engine
The Knudsen Institute is committed to having up-to-date, detailed, and accurate knowledge of the supply chain. To this end, we are supporting the development of an autonomous data engine that is continuously collecting data from a variety of sources. This data engine includes AI/NLP capabilities that extract pertinent details from unstructured data. Additionally, a research organization works within the data engine to ensure accuracy of the data collected. This information will enable many future projects such as understanding current surge capacity, modeling the impact of surge scenarios, and determining the impact of public policy.
Project 81
Project 81 focuses on workforce development for small manufacturers. The effort is named after historic U.S. Highway 81 running through Oklahoma, south from Enid through Chickasha and down to Duncan. This region encompasses most of western Oklahoma, including critical military bases such as Vance Air Force Base, Fort Sill Army Installation, and Altus Air Force Base. Moreover, this region runs alongside the Will Rogers World Airport, the FAA Monroney Center, and Tinker Air Force Base in the Greater Oklahoma City region.
Highway 81 is the birthplace of the oil & gas equipment manufacturing industry as well as a major agriculture basin in the state. Through Project 81, Knudsen will establish manufacturing incubators in its three population hubs while also rehabilitating deteriorating properties. The project seeks to grow the manufacturing base throughout western Oklahoma by offering access to all forms of advanced manufacturing technologies – often too expensive for small manufacturers – while also creating workforce development programs in coordination with the Oklahoma Career Technical System.