Founded in 1994, the Texas A&M Center for Applied Technology (TCAT) is a research center within the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES). At its inception, TEES envisioned TCAT as a center that would take a ‘top-down’ approach to research and development (versus the typical ‘bottom-up’ approach commonly used in research). This allows TCAT to bridge the gap between theoretical research, emerging technologies, and the challenges of real-world implementation, engaging the entire continuum of research extending from basic to applied.
TCAT provides high quality, pragmatic, applied research and development of engineering solutions to meet critical state, national, and global needs. TCAT establishes trusted partnerships across government, military, private industry, and academia, harmonizing the needs and expertise of all involved in order to achieve solutions to real-world problems that promote increased competitiveness and affect our daily lives. TCAT pursues enterprising research projects that fulfill client needs while inserting new technologies into society that promote economic growth and an improved quality of life. Throughout its existence, TCAT has had research divisions in a number of diverse disciplines ranging from computing and information technology, to manufacturing operations and process engineering.
With specialties across several technology domains, TCAT researchers are developing and applying cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. TCAT has a proven history in partnering with subject-matter experts and end-users as part of a needs assessment process and then designing, developing, and fielding innovative technology-centric solutions addressing the needs of diverse customers:
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Department of Energy
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- U.S. Department of Transportation
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
- United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- World Organisation for Animal Health
- Private industry (including several Fortune 500 companies)
- Non-profit organizations
The Center has a strong organizational footprint and a commitment to service towards governmental agencies. Additionally, TCAT facilitates the transfer of technology from research and development to commercialized solutions.