Home:Research:

				Institutes and Centers
			Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers Institute for Simulation and Training Florida Solar Energy Center Center for Discovery of Drugs and Diagnostics Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center Central Florida Research Park

The university has several nationally and internationally recognized research institutes that offer students the opportunity to work hands-on with experienced researchers. Other organized research units complement the activities of academic departments and engage graduate students in instructional and research roles.

CREOL

The School of Optics/CREOL (Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers) provides the highest quality education in optical science and engineering; conducts scholarly fundamental and applied research; and aids in the development of technology-based industries in Florida and throughout the nation. Research areas include: 

• Diffractive and holographic optics
• Image analysis and understanding
• IR systems and technology
• Laser system development
• Laser-aided materials processing
• Nonlinear optics
• Optical glass sciences
• Optoelectronics
• Photonic information processing systems
• Remote sensing, laser radar and atmospheric propagation
• Theory of light matter interaction
• Virtual reality and medical imaging
• X-Ray sources and technology

Director: Eric Van Stryland
www.creol.ucf.edu
407-823-6834

IST

The Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) is an internationally recognized research institute that develops advancing modeling and simulation technology and increases the understanding of simulation’s role in training and education. Research areas include:

• Multi-resolution simulation
• High-level architecture
• Connectivity
• Computer generated forces
• Virtual environments
• Computer graphics
• Terrain databases
• Low-cost graphics
• Training and education
• Short courses
• New simulation environments
• Medicine
• Public safety
• Advanced distributed learning
• Information technology
• Information services

Director: Randall Shumaker
www.ist.ucf.edu
407-882-1300

FSEC

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), located at UCF’s Cocoa campus, is the largest and most active state-supported renewable energy and energy efficiency research and training organization in the United States. FSEC researchers are committed to developing energy technologies that reduce Florida’s use of fossil fuels and enhance its economy and environment. Research areas include:

• Solar thermal systems
• Photovoltaic systems, applications and cells
• Energy efficiency and building science
• Indoor air quality
• Advanced HVAC systems
• Hydrogen energy from renewable resources
• Pollutant detoxification
• Energy-Efficient Industrialized Housing:
• Cost-Effective Solar Program for Utilities/ESCOs
• Energy-Efficient New Homes Program

Director: David Block
www.fsec.ucf.edu
321-638-1000

CD3

The Center for Discovery of Drugs and Diagnostics (CD3) was established to achieve prominence in areas of research that would produce new drugs and diagnostic procedures. CD3 maintains core labs on campus and in the UCF Research Park. Research areas include:

• Diseases and physiology:
  • Crohn's disease, drug resistant bacterial and mycobacterial infections
  • Malaria
  • Giardia
  • Cancer
  • Kidney ischemia
  • Neuron damage and repair 
  • Antithrombotics
  • Allergy
  • Thalassemia
  • Arthritis
• Reproduction
• Developmental genetics
• Transcription factors and proteomics
• Cell signal transduction
• Uptake and delivery of drugs
• Photoactivated drugs
• Vaccines
• High-yield protein production
• Advanced fluorescence microscopy
• Magnetic force microscopy
• Raman spectral microscopy
• Developmental genetics 
• Image analysis
• Transcription factors
• Synthesis of antimetabolites

Director:  Pappachan Kolattukudy
407-384-2814

AMPAC

The Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center (AMPAC)excels in the development, processing, and characterization of advanced materials processing and analysis. AMPAC’s mission is to stimulate the expansion and in-depth research and education in advanced materials. Working in partnership with Cirent Semiconductor, AMPAC is home to the UCF-Cirent Materials Characterization Facility (MCF), a $10-million-dollar facility with state-of-the-art surface and materials characterization equipment. Research areas include:

• Transmission electron microscopy
• Scanning electron microscopy
• Secondary ion mass spectrometry
• Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy
• Auger spectroscopy
• Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis
• Atomic force microscopy
• Focused ion beam
• Electron mocroprobe analysis
• Energy dispersive x-ray
• X-Ray diffraction

Director: Vimal Desai
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ampac/
407-882-1455

Central Florida Research Park

The Research Park, located adjacent to the main UCF campus, was established by the Florida Legislature in 1978. The nearly 80 companies located in the park are involved with the university through sponsored research, using students for intern programs and part-time employment, and contracting with the university for use of the library and lab facilities. Those companies work in the areas of simulation and training, lasers, optical filters, behavioral sciences, diagnostic test equipment and oceanographic equipment, to name a few. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) and the Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM) are located in the park as are the Institute for Simulation and Training and the National Center for Simulation.

The goal of the Research Park is to establish an academic/industry community offering a unique approach to effective academic/industry cooperation. The establishment of close ties between the university and industry has created an attractive environment for research-oriented industry to locate in the park. For graduate students, the park can be viewed as adjunct campus, offering real-world experience and exposure just a stone’s throw from campus.

IST, the Office of Research, UCF’s Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center, the Center for Transportation Simulation Systems, and the Center for Discovery of Drugs and Diagnostics are located in the Research Park.

More than 5,000 employees, many of them students and UCF graduates, work in the Research Park and, along with their companies, enjoy a “university relationship” with researchers and resources on campus.