For almost three decades, Oklahoma State University’s Application Engineering program has been helping small and mid-sized manufacturers in the state reach the next level.

Since 1997, the program has connected on-site engineering assistance with manufacturers, helping companies select, understand and integrate new technologies to grow as businesses. One of the program’s latest projects — partnering with BioSpec, a Bartlesville-based manufacturing company — highlights just how vital a role these applied engineers play across the state.

“As a small company, relationships are important,” said Jeff Anderson, owner of BioSpec. “Working with OSU and the applied engineers, they were easy to get a hold of. When things would happen, they’d make the trip up and work the next day.”

In this case, Austin Pickering and Ben Alexander, applied engineers in the program, worked to improve one of BioSpec’s products, the Mini-BeadBeater-16 ULTRA. This piece of equipment, a laboratory bead mill homogenizer and cell disruptor, was nearly two decades old and in need of a redesign.

The duo identified several issues. The company needed a new supplier and an overall renovation to reduce noise.

Pickering worked on reducing the part count and making it easier to operate. He redesigned the retaining screw and cap and implemented a torque key to ensure uniform torque, a force that causes an object to rotate around an axis, for all tests run on the machine. The goal was to streamline the product and enhance safety for today’s lab environment.

“We’ve exceeded all of those things,” Pickering said. “They’re able to take this and move to the next level, and we’ve helped them from a manufacturing standpoint.”

Alexander focused on the noise. When the old machine ran, it was so loud that researchers would usually exit the room until it was finished. Using the bathroom’s echo as a baseline setting to run tests, Alexander and Pickering worked through revisions until it was perfect.

The result? Noise emission was decreased by 25%.

“You can have a conversation right next to it,” Alexander said. “Before, you would’ve had to step out of the room.”

After years of work, the new and improved product launched earlier this year. The feedback has been exceptional.

“It’s been well received,” Anderson said. “Great feedback on the looks of the machine, the ease of use.”

Bruce Noden is among the many researchers benefiting from the work of OSU’s Applied Engineering program. Noden, a professor in the OSU Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, has been using equipment like this for more than a decade. The improvements the team made have positively impacted his work.

“The new product has upped the efficiency in my lab,” Noden said. “With a new look and easier access to the tubes, the significant noise reduction means we can all work in the lab while using the machine.”

The unique work done by OSU is funded through the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, which is a National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. OSU serves as a subcontractor, enabling applied engineers to make an impact in technology and automation across Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance operates similarly to OSU Extension, with agents working across the state to locate manufacturers in need of the support provided by OSU’s Applied Engineering Program.

“Our entire organization is built to strengthen the economy,” said Brad Chambers, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance extension agent. “We want to make sure we are adding value, not only to the manufacturers, but to the state of Oklahoma.”

The program has done just that.

In 2026 alone, the Applied Engineering program had an overall financial impact of $93 million and created or retained an additional 362 jobs in the state.

“We are committed to serving the people and industries that drive our state forward,” Krishnamurthy said. “The Applications Engineering program is a remarkable example of how we can leverage our expertise to help manufacturers innovate, expand and succeed while contributing to Oklahoma’s economic growth.”

Alexander added, “We’re here to help manufacturers that don’t have the staff on hand, but they have an idea or a problem to solve, and we try to help them reach the next level.”