University of Dayton Research Institute

Some of our S+R folks took a road trip to Louisville last week for the Mid-America Trucking Show!    We came to listen, and after dozens of conversations, we’re excited about the opportunity to support the industry in meaningful ways, including:  🔧 Predictive maintenance  📊 Digital fleet management  🤖 AI for learning & prediction  ⛽ Fuels innovation  🛡️ Corrosion & coatings  🏭 Advanced manufacturing    Big challenges = even bigger opportunities. Stay tuned.    #UDRI #MidAmericaTruckingShow2026 #MATS2026 #AdvancedManufacturing #Innovation #TruckingIndustry 

POV: You turned your college hobby into your career 👀    🎓 Class of 2022 → B.S. Mechanical Engineering  🔧 From projects in Kettering Labs  ✈️ To creating 3D-printed parts at UDRI in our Sustainment & Readiness Sector    Jesse Tidwell came back to UD for the tech. Stayed for the people.    💡Advice to students: Take the chance. You might just end up exactly where you’re meant to be. University of Dayton University of Dayton School of Engineering  #UDRI #UniversityofDayton #DaytonFlyers #3DPrinting #MechanicalEngineering #UDaytonEngineering 

Kicking off intern season in the best way 🌱 Yesterday we held our first intern event of the year: Seeds of Success: Networking 101, led by our own Employee Experience and Engagement intern, Ava Lockhart! This event highlighted the importance of building connections, leveling up LinkedIn skills, and building relationships like a pro. Plot twist: the person posting this also gave the LinkedIn talk 🎤 Our social media strategist, Shannon Williams, traded the keyboard for the mic as a guest speaker leading a LinkedIn 101 session to help interns build their professional presence and step confidently into their summer experience. #UDRI #SummerInternship2026 #Networking #LinkedIn #UniversityofDayton

A big moment at the AMPP: Association for Materials Protection and Performance Conference + Expo in Houston! 🌟    Congratulations to Douglas Hansen on being honored with the Elaine Bowman Distinguished Service Award last week at the AMPP Conference.    Doug’s 22-year career as a Coatings Scientist at UDRI, combined with his impactful service to AMPP, reflects a deep commitment to advancing the materials protection and performance community.    Join us in congratulating Doug on this well-earned achievement!    #UDRI #AMPP2026 #EmployeeRecognition #MaterialsProtectionAndPerformance #AMPP #CoatingsAndCorrosion 

From cockpit simulations to cutting-edge workflows. VR Technology has made its way through the decades.    Then: experimental tech changing how pilots train.  Now: everyday tools transforming how we work.    What started as “virtual worlds” in the 80s is now driving how our teams train, build, and innovate. Same vision, but with next-level reality.    #UDRI #UnboundInnovation #ThenAndNow #FromTheArchives 

❓Hypothesis: you need new UDRI merch    We tested it. We proved it.    Our UDRI Spirit Store is LIVE! We have gear for all ages + plenty of extras.    Conclusion: time to shop 👉 https://lnkd.in/g3u-93qN #UDRI #SpiritStore #UDRIMerch

👀 Zoomed in & ready to guess?    This piece of tech kicks off one of our most detailed fuel analysis methods… but what is it?    Clues:  🔹 Works with sealed 2 mL sample vials  🔹 Preps samples for advanced chromatography analysis (wash → sample → inject → rinse)  🔹 Automates the entire process from start to finish    Think you know? Tell us in the comments!  Answer drops tomorrow 👇    #UDRI #FuelsScience #Chromatography #FuelAnalysis #WhatTheTech 

When the mission calls, we answer. The mission? Save Roadrunner. 🤖    The very first student-led robotics team from The Dayton Regional STEM School, Gridrunners, hit a last-minute part failure during final testing. With competition around the corner, they reached out to our Sustainment & Readiness team for aid.    Our engineers jumped into action, printing a new high-strength aluminum component overnight and through the weekend using advanced laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing. The team had the parts they needed just in the nick of time for competition!    At UDRI, we solve tough problems at the speed of mission need. Proud to support the Gridrunners FRC Team and FIRST Robotics!    Swipe through to see the reverse engineering of this one →    #UDRI #Additive Manufacturing #FutureUDRIEngineers #DaytonSTEMSchool #Robotics 

We’ve always been busy fixing problems before anyone knew they existed.    Vibration in aerospace isn’t just annoying; it can crack parts and cost millions. Mike Drake’s solution? Stop it at the source.    Inlet guide vanes like these were his playground, where advanced damping materials and clever engineering kept engines running longer, safer, and cheaper.    A reminder: some of the greatest innovations happen behind the scenes.    #UDRI #FromTheArchives #AerospaceEngineering #UDRI70 #UnboundInnovation 

From student to Senior Financial Analyst 🎓➡️📊    After earning her BBA in Accounting (2015) and MBA (2016) through the 5 year program at the University of Dayton, Ally Seitz launched her career as an auditor at one of the Big 4 accounting firms, moved into financial analysis in the payments industry, and ultimately found her way back to UD, this time at UDRI.    Why come back? The culture, the people, and the opportunities that shaped her career. And her favorite campus memory? Meeting her husband sophomore year ❤️    Her advice to students: Enjoy every minute. It goes by way too fast.    #UDRI #OnceAFlyerAlwaysAFlyer #FlyerForLife #CareerJourney #UniversityofDaytonAlumni #AlumniStories