Design Innovation Nodes

The DI Nodes are a series of makerspaces and resource laboratories located across the various Kent State University colleges and campuses.

DI Nodes represent a vital component of the Design Innovation Ecosystem as they provide specialized spaces, equipment, resources, and expertise that facilitate innovation and promote rich cross-disciplinary collaboration. By connecting the DI Hub to each of the DI Nodes, the Design Innovation Initiative seeks to elevate awareness of, and access to, the broad range of maker, design, technology, and resource centers at KSU and more fully expose the KSU community to the true power of collaboration.

Each DI Node is committed to:

  1. Operating as part of the larger DI Ecosystem and connected “maker-culture” of Kent State University.
  2. Promoting resource accessibility and supporting all KSU community inquiries, not just those from their respective departments or degree program areas.
  3. Participating in challenge-based-innovation projects and events to support collaborative problem-solving at KSU.

DI Node Benefits

In recognition of their commitment as part of the DI Ecosystem, DI Nodes:

  • Earn automatic membership to the DI Team for their staff and representatives; participation on the DI Team affords DI Node staff access to the resources and expertise of the full DI Ecosystem.
  • May request flexible, on-demand student staffing support from the DI Crew/DI Fellows to aid ongoing projects, events, or other temporary operations; longer-term support may also be available.
  • May request a temporary loan of DI Hub tools and equipment for use in DI Node projects or programs, or participate in collaborative bulk ordering to reduce overhead costs.
  • Receive priority access to the DI Hub’s event spaces, maker environments, and programmatic offerings in support of DI Node projects, events, workshops, and development opportunities.
  • Receive priority access to the DI Gallery and Muse Lab to exhibit their projects and activities.
  • May apply for annual multi-Node grant opportunities (up to $2,500 per project) to support transdisciplinary projects or the use of challenge-based-innovation to solve key problems.
  • May request up to $250 to support collaborative promotional events in conjunction with the DI Hub.
  • May request marketing support via cross-promotion of DI Node activities to the full DI membership; this support enables DI Nodes to reach a larger audience across the DI Ecosystem.

DI NODE LOCATIONS: (with equipment lists where provided)

  •  

    Address: Kent State University | Liquid Crystal Institute | 1425 Lefton Esplanade | Kent, OH 44242
    Phone: 330-672-2654
    Email: pbos@kent.edu

    Hours

    By appointment

     


    The LCI Prototype Facility is centered in a 3,500-square-foot Class 100-1,000-10,000 clean

  • As a component of the museum studies specialization in the School of Information, the MuseLab is a creative and collaborative space for thinking, doing and learning about museal things. MuseLab is open to faculty, students, organizations and community groups interested in conducting research, prototyping, staging an exhibit or hosting a workshop or program related to the lab’s mission.

    Equipment, Features and Services

    The MuseLab consists of two exhibit spaces (a main gallery inside and a wall gallery outside), a fully equipped work area and two storag

  •  

    Address: Kent State University | Physics Department | Smith Hall | Kent, OH 44242
    Phone: 330-672-2032
    Email: chem@kent.edu | jxiang3@kent.edu​​​​​​​
    Website: www.kent.edu/chemistry/machine-shop

    Hours for consultation

    Mon.–Fri. 11:30 a.
  •  

    Address: Kent State University | 034 Moulton Hall | Moulton Hall, Third Floor Kent, Ohio 44242
    Phone: 330-672-3371
    Email: rcet@kent.edu | akratcos@kent.edu
    Website: www.kent.edu/rcet

    Hours

    By appointment

    &n

  •  

    Address: Kent State University | Franklin Hall (Office 205) 550 Hilltop Drive | Kent, OH 44242
    Phone: 330-672-2586
    Email: ads@kentstudentmedia.com | kdilley@kent.edu​​​​​​​
    Website: www.kentstatestudentmedia.com

    Hours

    Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  •  

    Address: Kent State University | University Library, First Floor | 1125 Risman Dr. Kent, OH 44242
    Phone: 330-672-0221
    Email: kentstatesms@gmail.com | hmkenned@kent.edu​​​​​​​
    Website: www.library.kent.edu/sms

    Hours

    Mon.–Thurs. 9 a.m.–9 p.m. | Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Sa
  •  

    Address: Wick Poetry Center | Kent State University | 126 S. Lincoln Street | Kent, OH 44242
    Phone: 330-672-2067
    Email: wickpoetry@kent.edu
    Website: www.kent.edu/wick

    Hours

    By appointment

     


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