Research and Innovation

Ranked a Tier One research university by the Carnegie Classification, UNT is at the forefront of new ideas and technologies. In every corner of campus, faculty and student researchers are discovering solutions to the grand challenges of the 21st century.

At the same time, UNT is working to strengthen its research and innovation culture by investing in its people, collaborative programs and spaces, which is leading to an environment where innovation is rewarded and collaborative research efforts are lauded. In the last year, UNT had more than 50 patents filed, eight patents issued and six licenses executed -- and is negotiating several more.

"UNT is actively working to grow its research enterprise to improve the university's reach and more meaningfully impact the world," President Neal Smatresk says. "Our researchers are being awarded more large program grants that really have the potential to impact the world. This is just the start of what we will achieve."

Promoting innovation

Research Annual Report

UNT's Innovation and Commercialization unit has continually increased its output in recent years to better support faculty in converting research discoveries into useful, marketable products. "To be stewards of the public's trust, universities must find new ways to ensure that new ideas and solutions find a way to market for communities to thrive," says Michael Rondelli, UNT's associate vice president for innovation and commercialization. "Universities like UNT are working to do just that." Check out UNT's 2017 Research Annual Report at research.unt.edu/research-impact.

Partnerships to inspire startups

Michael Rondelli

UNT recently partnered with Denton's Stoke, a co-working space to offer entrepreneurship programs for community members. And in Frisco, home to UNT's New College and the Collin Higher Education Center, UNT is working with the Frisco mayor's office and other key stakeholders through Inspire Frisco to build an innovation engine for the entire North Texas region. Rondelli is spearheading these efforts for UNT.

Pushing boundaries

The MRF spaces photographed in Discovery Park

UNT's 900-acre campus features research facilities, makerspaces and laboratories, where faculty and student researchers push the boundaries of science, technology and creativity. UNT is home to 342 research labs and non-classroom creative spaces, and labs such as UNT's Materials Research Facility also are partnering with industry experts to investigate, beta test and produce solutions and real-world applications. Learn more on this issue's Parting Shot.