Labs & Expertise
Oregon BEST grows and focuses a statewide shared-user network of university researchers and lab facilities in two strategic areas:
Sustainable Built Environment Products and Services (performance assessment, energy systems and efficiency, green building materials, and building/community design)
Renewable Energy Generation (solar, biofuels/biomass, wind, wave, and geothermal)
Our charter is to make the state’s businesses globally competitive by transforming and commercializing university research into new companies, services, products, and jobs that power Oregon’s green economy.
NETWORK OF RESEARCHERS AND SHARED-USER FACILITIES
Oregon BEST's 200+ Member Faculty are international experts in sustainable built environment and renewable energy research.
The university labs and test facilities affiliated with our Member Faculty make up a multi-million-dollar, shared-user network of signature research facilities available to industry partners for collaboration.
The seven Oregon BEST Signature Research Facilities include:
- SuNRISE Photovoltaics Laboratory at the UO
- Oregon Process Innovation Center (OPIC) for Sustainable Solar Cell Manufacturing at OSU
- Green Building Materials Laboratory at OSU
- Green Building Research Laboratory at PSU
- infraStructure Testing and Applied Research (iSTAR) Laboratory at PSU
- Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory at the UO in Eugene and in Portland
- Facade Integrated Technologies (FIT) Testing Facility at the UO
In addition, Oregon BEST also leads the Sustainable Built Environment Research Consortium, a regional group of member firms, organizations, and researchers collaborating on applied research, development, and commercialization of sustainable technologies and services for the sustainable built environment.
OREGON BEST IN THE NEWS
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Red List Design Finalists Named05/17/2013
Finalists in the $15,000 Oregon BEST Red List Design Challenge include earthen flooring, plant-based insulation, salvaged-wood lamps, and window blinds that don't cut daylight. More.
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Brewing Electricity from Wastewater05/15/2013
An Oregon BEST Commercialization Grant helps company test microbial fuel cell that could clean wastewater, generate electricity, and reduce water usage at Widmer Bros. Brewery. More.
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Grant Funds Solar-Activated Water Treatment04/17/2013
A floating, solar-activated device that can treat stormwater wins an Oregon BEST Commercialization Grant. More.
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CSD Nano: Semi-Finalist at Angel Conference04/15/2013
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Grant Funds Innovative Window Coating03/28/2013
An Oregon BEST Commercialization Grant funds development of new window coating that could save millions on indoor lighting costs. More.

