Federal grant will help Wichita State set up high-tech lab

Wichita State University on Friday was awarded a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams made the announcement. Officials say the grant will help create about 500 jobs and spur a new innovation industry in Wichita.

WSU administrators say they will find matching money from university funds and possibly from business partners.

With that roughly $4 million in hand, their scientists plan to shop for high-tech lab parts and software.

The goal is to set up a multi-robotic additive manufacturing laboratory where companies and inventors can design, test and manufacture new products.

The new equipment will enable manufacturers, entrepreneurs and designers to use virtual reality to test automated processes.

The equipment will be set up in WSU’s planned Experiential Engineering building. Until that building is built, the lab will be in WSU’s laboratories at the National Center for Aviation Training.

Officials hope to have the lab open by next summer.

This story was originally published October 3, 2014 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Federal grant will help Wichita State set up high-tech lab."