Legislative Auditor's Conclusion:

The Legislature should continue the JCATI program because it is meeting legislative intent to pursue joint university-industry research, enhance the education of students, and work with aerospace firms in Washington.

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December 2019

In 2012, the Legislature created the Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (JCATI) to pursue joint university-industry aerospace research, enhance the education of students, and work directly with aerospace firms in Washington. JCATI sunsets July 1, 2020, unless there is legislative action. The Sunset Act requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to conduct a performance review in the year before the expiration date.

JCATI is meeting legislative intent to pursue joint university-industry aerospace research in Washington

JCATI is meeting legislative intent by achieving the three goals set for the program:

  1. Pursue university-industry research. JCATI is administering a competitive grant program that funds university-industry aerospace research projects. Between fiscal years 2013 and 2019, it awarded $9 million for 109 grants. JCATI has also hosted annual symposiums that include presentations by students, professors, and aerospace professionals on JCATI-funded projects and emerging industry trends.
  2. Enhance the education of students. To date, the program has provided grant funding and research opportunities for 65 professors and 392 students from the University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University, and Central Washington University.
  3. Work with aerospace firms in Washington. The grants have funded university-industry partnerships with 64 aerospace firms. Of those, 50 firms have had a presence in Washington. Grants have included at least one firm partner with a presence in Washington.

The program is efficient and economical

JCATI spends an average of 86% of its budget directly on grant awards. To reduce the administrative burden on grant applicants and recipients, it follows the established grant procedures of the National Science Foundation. Aerospace firm partners contributed the equivalent of $7 million in cash support or in-kind donations to the research efforts from fiscal years 2013 through 2019.

JCATI is unique in its focus on both Washington's aerospace industry and student education

JCATI is unique when compared to three federal grant programs that fund similar research. It is the only program that requires involvement from Washington's public four-year institutions and Washington-based aerospace firms. It is also the only one that has a requirement to enhance the education of students by working on industry-focused research.

Legislative Auditor recommends continuing the program

The Legislature should continue JCATI because it is meeting legislative intent to pursue university-industry aerospace research, enhance the education of students, and work with aerospace firms in Washington. Without legislative action, JCATI will end on July 1, 2020.

JCATI concurs with this recommendation. You can find additional information on the Recommendations tab.

Committee Action to Distribute Report

On December 4, 2019 this report was approved for distribution by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.

Action to distribute this report does not imply the Committee agrees or disagrees with the Legislative Auditor recommendations.

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Report Details

1. JCATI is meeting legislative intent

JCATI is meeting legislative intent to pursue university-industry research, enhance the education of students, and work with Washington's aerospace firms

The Legislature created the Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (JCATI) in 2012 to increase collaboration between the aerospace industry and Washington's public universities. JCATI was tasked with achieving three goals:

  1. Pursue joint university-industry research in new technologies relevant to aerospace.
  2. Enhance the education of students through industry-focused research.
  3. Work directly with small, medium, and large❶ Small firms have less than 500 employees.
    ❷ Medium firms have between 500 and 1,500 employees.
    ❸ Large firms have over 1,500 employees.
    Washington-based aerospace firms to identify research and technology needs.

JCATI is housed at the University of Washington, overseen by a 9-person, governor-appointed board of directors, and supported by a program manager and part-time executive director.

Between fiscal years 2013 to 2019, JCATI awarded 109 research grants and hosted annual aerospace symposiums

The Legislature appropriated $3 million to JCATI in each biennium since 2012. JCATI used these funds to provide research grants and host annual aerospace symposiums.

JCATI has awarded a total of $9 million in research grants. The awards have supported:

  • 109 research projects. Individual grant awards have ranged between $41,000 and $127,000. Research topics include aircraft systems, biofuels, composites, fluids and structures, manufacturing processes, space systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles. A full list of grants is in Appendix A.
  • 65 professors, 226 undergraduate, and 166 graduate students from the University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University, and Central Washington University.

Fifty aerospace firms with a presence in Washington have partnered with JCATI. These include small, medium, and large firms. An additional 14 firms located outside of Washington have also contributed to the research.

In addition to awarding grants, JCATI hosts annual symposiums that provide opportunities for professors, students, and aerospace professionals to network, share information on JCATI-funded research projects, and listen to speakers discussing industry trends and future research needs.

The grant application and selection process ensures joint university-industry participation in research

JCATI grants are designed to foster university-industry collaboration. A professor from a four-year public university in Washington initiates the application process by submitting a research proposal to the JCATI Board. Each proposal must include a letter from a Washington-based aerospace firm that specifies in-kind or cash contributions to support the research.

The proposals must include a plan to transfer the results of the research to the participating firm. Each JCATI grant provides one year of funding. Professors reapply each year if a project requires multiple years of funding.

Exhibit 1.1: Grant application and selection process involves professors, industry partners, external reviewers, and board
Graphic shows 8 part process of grant application process. 1) Professor and aerospace firm connect, 2) Professor applies for funds in March, 3) At least two external reviewers are selected by JCATI grant manager to score applications, 4) Board reviews grant proposals and scores, 5) Awards are announced in May or June, 6) Next spring students present research findings, 7) professor submits a final report detailing results, and 8) JCATI grant manager continues to follow-up to track benefits.
Source: JLARC staff depiction of grant process.

JCATI enhances educational opportunities for students

Undergraduate and graduate students participate in the vast majority of JCATI-funded research projects. Many projects include multiple students. Six projects to date did not directly include undergraduate or graduate students, but the project team included post-doctoral researchers.

In addition to their work on industry-focused research projects, students are also expected to present the results of their research at JCATI's annual aerospace symposium.

Stacked bar chart of graduate students compared to undergradutate students between fiscal year 2013 and 2019. If a student is involved in more than one funding cycle, they will be counted each year they particpated.

JCATI works directly with small, medium, and large aerospace firms in Washington

Firms of all sizes have participated in JCATI-funded research. JCATI uses the U.S. Small Business Administration definitions of business sizes to identify small, medium, and large firms that have an office or facility located in Washington:

  • Small firms have less than 500 employees.
  • Medium firms have between 500 and 1,500 employees.
  • Large firms have over 1,500 employees.

To date, all of JCATI's research awards have involved one or more firms located in Washington. The full list of participating firms is in Appendix A.

Stacked bar chart showing numbers of small, medium, and large firms between fiscal year 2013 and 2019. More small firms than large or medium over the years.

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Report Details

2. Program is efficient and economical

JCATI is operating in an efficient and economical manner

Graph showing average JCATI budget allocation from fiscal year 2013 - 2019. Research grants get 86% and 14% goes to staff, symposium, facilities, and other contracted work.

JCATI spends an average of 86% of its budget on grant awards

Since 2012, JCATI has received $3 million per biennium in state appropriations. This is the program's only source of funding for administration and grant awards. From fiscal years 2013 through 2019, JCATI has spent an average of 86% of its funds directly on research grant awards. The other 14% paid for staff salaries and benefits, the annual aerospace symposium, facilities, and other contract work.

JCATI has 1.2 full-time employees, including a full-time program manager and a part-time executive director.

JCATI's board and staff review and oversee grant expenditures

JCATI is governed by a 9-member, governor-appointed board of directors. Per statute, board membership includes a nonvoting chair and 8 voting members who represent small, medium, and large aerospace firms, labor, aerospace industry associations, and higher education.

JCATI's board and staff review and oversee grant expenditures throughout the award cycle.

During the application and selection process:

  • JCATI's request for proposals (RFP) specify the type of research that the program will fund and how those funds can be spent.
  • Professors must provide an itemized budget, which is reviewed by a university representative and the JCATI program manager.
  • To reduce the administrative burden on grant applicant and recipients, JCATI models the grant process after the National Science Foundation (NSF). This is an established program familiar to many professors and grant managers.
  • External reviewers score the applications. The scoring criteria aligns with legislative intent and assesses the feasibility of the project with respect to time and budget.
  • The JCATI Board makes final funding decisions. They discuss whether applications meet legislative intent to fund university-industry research, enhance the education of students, and advance Washington's aerospace industry.

After the awards are granted:

  • Professors are required to submit a final report detailing the results of the project, including the student and firm involvement.
  • Research results for all projects are presented at an annual JCATI symposium, which provides a level of accountability that the project will be completed on time and as proposed.
  • The JCATI program manager continues to follow-up with professors to track whether students are involved in the aerospace industry after the JCATI project ends, if research led to technology transfer to the industry, and whether research led to other funding opportunities. JCATI describes these metrics in biennial reports to the Legislature.

Aerospace firms make in-kind or cash contributions to support research projects

To qualify for a JCATI grant, a professor from a public university in Washington must partner with at least one Washington aerospace firm that has identified a research need. Grant proposals are assessed by the amount a firm contributes to a project, as well as other factors. Firm contributions may include cash or in-kind donations, such as consulting hours, facility access, research materials and equipment, and testing services.

Exhibit 2.2: Aerospace firms must contribute to JCATI-funded research projects
Fiscal Year Number of grant awards JCATI grant award amounts (rounded) Firm contribution (in-kind & cash) to grant projects (rounded)
2013 18 $1,369,000 $637,000
2014 16 $1,275,000 $1,304,000
2015 16 $1,291,000 $1,013,000
2016 15 $1,254,000 $1,075,000
2017 15 $1,318,000 $831,000
2018 13 $1,105,000 $1,025,000
2019 16 $1,438,000 $827,000*
*In-kind contributions reported as of August 2019.
Source: JCATI performance measurement reports, JCATI staff, and JLARC staff analysis of project proposals.

JCATI grants are worth more than face value to professors because universities waive indirect costs and graduate student tuition

Exhibit shows estimated JCATI grant award value for FY 17-18. JCATI award ($2,423,000), Indirect costs waived ($1,171,000), and Graduate Tuition Wavied ($475,000) to total $4,069,000

JCATI maintains a cost sharing agreement with universities that prohibits using grant funds to pay for indirect costs or graduate student tuition. As a result, JCATI grants are worth more than their face value to the professors leading the projects.

Exhibit 2.3 shows that JCATI grant awards totaling $2,423,000 for fiscal years 2017-18 are actually worth $4,069,000 when waived costs are considered. For fiscal years 2017 and 2018, JCATI estimates that the total amount of waived costs and fees for its grant awards was $1,646,000. While this waiver is a benefit to the professors, university grant administrators report that the universities still incur these costs and absorb them within their own budgets.

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Report Details

3. Unique focus on WA aerospace

Unlike other major grant programs, JCATI is specifically focused on research that supports Washington's aerospace industry

JCATI is unique compared to three federal grant programs that fund aerospace research

JLARC staff compared JCATI grants to three federal grant programs run by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Defense (DoD), and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). University professors and grant managers in Washington commonly cited these three programs as sources of funding for aerospace research.

  • NSF: A federal agency created to advance the nation's health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering.
  • DoD: A federal agency that manages the military forces needed to protect national security interests. Several agencies under the DoD offer grants for research, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Office of Naval Research (ONR).
  • STTR: A federal program that is focused on expanding public/private sector partnerships by requiring small businesses to formally collaborate with research institutions in order to receive federal grant funds. The main goal of the program is to bridge the gap between basic science research and the commercialization of resulting innovations.

JCATI is unique when compared to these three federal programs. It is the only one that requires:

  • Professors from a Washington four-year, public higher education institution.
  • At least one industry partner with a presence in Washington.
  • Projects must have a benefit and impact in Washington.

JCATI also differs from these programs in its exclusive focus on aerospace research and its requirement to enhance the education of university students.

Exhibit 3.1: JCATI is unique in its focus on supporting Washington's aerospace industry and university students
JCATI NSF DoD STTR
State program
Federal program
Research must benefit WA
Professor must be at a public, four-year institution in WA
Grant open to a national pool of researchers
Requires an aerospace industry partner located in WA
Program goal to enhance student education
Length of grant 1 year 2-5 years 2-5 years 1-3 years
Time from proposal submission to award notification 3 months 6-9 months 6-9 months 6-9 months
Source: JLARC staff comparison of state and federal grant programs.

JLARC staff did not find similar programs in other states

JLARC staff worked with the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) to review other states' aerospace research programs. NCSL did not identify any other state programs similar to JCATI. In 2017, California's legislature introduced a proposal to fund a similar research program, but no program has been established yet.

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Report Details

4. Answers to questions in Sunset Act

The Legislature should continue the JCATI program because it is meeting legislative intent

The Sunset Act directs JLARC to consider four questions

The 2012 legislation that created JCATI (SB 5982) included a sunset clause. Programs included within the Sunset Act (RCW 43.131) will terminate on a specified date without further legislative action. In the year prior to termination, JLARC staff are required to conduct a performance audit of the program to answer the following four questions:

  1. Has JCATI complied with legislative intent?

    Yes. The JCATI Board and program staff have developed the program around its three legislative goals: to pursue university-industry research, enhance the education of students, and work with Washington's aerospace firms. JCATI has made funding decisions to advance these goals.
  2. Does JCATI provide for efficient and economical management of research grants?

    Yes. JCATI spends an average of 86% of its budget directly on aerospace grants. The rest is used to pay for staff salaries and benefits, the annual aerospace symposium, facilities, and other contract work.

    To reduce the administrative burden on grant applicants and recipients, JCATI follows the National Science Foundation grant procedures. These are well established and familiar to many university researchers and grant managers.
  3. Has JCATI achieved expected performance measures?

    Yes. JCATI has three performance measures that it annually tracks and reports to JLARC:
    1. Number of small, medium and large firms participating in projects. 64 firms have participated in JCATI-funded projects. Fifty firms had a presence in Washington and all projects had at least one Washington firm partner. The majority of firms are classified as small, with less than 500 employees.
    2. Number of students involved in projects. 226 undergraduate and 166 graduate students from University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University, and Central Washington University have participated in JCATI-funded projects.
    3. Amount of in-kind contributions. Firms have contributed the equivalent of $7 million in the form of cash, consultation, materials, facility space, and testing to the projects.
  4. Is JCATI duplicative of activities by another entity?

    No. While there are other grant programs that fund research at four-year institutions, those programs are not specifically focused on Washington's aerospace industry, oriented towards enhancing the education of students, and require a university-industry partnership.

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Report Details

Appendix A: JCATI grants awarded from fiscal years 2013 to 2019

JCATI awarded 109 grants since program began

Exhibit A1: Summary of JCATI grant awards from fiscal years 2013 to 2019
Click on a column heading to sort by that column.
Fiscal Year School Professor Industry Partners Project Title Research Category*  Amount of Grant Award 
2016 WSU Ahring, Birgitte  3 Rivers Catalyst; Clean Vantage LLC An innovative new pathway for producing cost-effective aviation biofuels from woody biomass with high product yields Biofuels  $99,961
2016 WSU Bandyopadhyay, Amit Aerojet Rocketdyne Additive manufacturing of bimetallic and porous materials for space applications Manufacturing processes; Space systems  $65,769
2017 WSU Bandyopadhyay, Amit Aerojet Rocketdyne Additive manufacturing of multi-material structures for space application Manufacturing processes  $69,548
2013 WSU Bandyopadhyay, Amit Aerojet Rocketdyne Additive manufacturing of Aerojet’s propellant tank and ceramic components Manufacturing processes; Space systems  $59,561
2014 WSU Bandyopadhyay, Amit Aerojet Rocketdyne Additive manufacturing of high temperature composites and bimetallic structures for Aerojet's environmentally sustainable rocket engines Manufacturing processes; Space systems  $68,693
2014 WSU Banerjee, Soumik The Boeing Company Design of molecularly tailored electrolytes for high performance lithium batteries Aircraft systems  $69,279
2019 UW Boyle, Linda Esterline Capturing workload and stress among commercial aircraft pilots to enhance pilot-aircraft interfaces Aircraft systems  $99,884
2018 UW Boyle, Linda Esterline The effectiveness of an immersive operator control station to enhance situation awareness Aircraft systems  $99,442
2014 WSU Chaudhuri, Santanu The Boeing Company High performance aerospace alloys: corrosion resistant microstructure design toolkit Fluids & Structures  $90,000
2013 WSU Chaudhuri, Santanu Triumph Composite Systems Combined computational/experimental approach to optimize manufacturing process of carbon reinforced composite parts to improve mechanical/corrosion performance Composites; Manufacturing processes  $100,000
2015 UW Dabiri, Dana The Boeing Company Development of high resolution wall pressure and wall shear stress measurement system Fluids & Structures  $81,000
2013 UW Devasia, Santosh The Boeing Company; HEATCON Embedded sectional heater for temperature control of composite-damage repair Composites; Manufacturing processes  $48,290
2017 WSU Englund, Karl Global Fiberglass Solutions; Zoltek Integration of recycled thermoplastic and thermoset based carbon fiber reinforced composites into value-added composites Composites; Manufacturing processes  $74,696
2015 WSU Englund, Karl Triumph Composite Systems Recycling of carbon reinforced thermoplastic composite wastes for the aerospace industry Composites; Manufacturing processes  $72,540
2013 UW Feraboli, Paolo Automobili Lamborghini SpA Forged composite technology for aerospace industry in Washington state Composites; Manufacturing processes  $81,109
2017 UW Ferrante, Antonio The Boeing Company Direct numerical simulation of an aft-body flow Fluids & Structures  $88,477
2015 WSU Garcia-Perez, Manuel Conrad Industries; The Boeing Company Production and testing of aviation fuel formed by blends of hydrotreated renewable jet and hydrotreated pyrolytic oil cuts Biofuels  $70,772
2018 WWU Gill, David  Zodiac Aerospace Reducing flagging and fraying in composite sandwich panel machining Composites; Manufacturing processes  $78,928
2015 WSU Heo, Deukhyoun The Boeing Company; Linear Signal; Teramics LLC Energy-efficient linear beamforming receiver for airborne wireless communications Aircraft systems  $63,000
2018 WSU Heo, Deukhyoun The Boeing Company Phased array beamformers and low-noise power management systems for future system-on-chip (SOC) application Aircraft systems  $80,000
2019 WSU Heo, Deukhyoun The Boeing Company Highly linear and energy-efficient frequency-tunable beamforming transceiver for airborne phased-array communications Aircraft systems  $80,000
2013 WWU Hoekstra, Nicole Zodiac Aerospace Characterization of composite panel manufacturing for aerospace applications Composites; Manufacturing processes  $100,000
2015 WWU Hoekstra, Nicole Zodiac Aerospace Development of fasteners for aircraft interiors Composites; Manufacturing processes  $100,000
2018 UW Hwang, Jenq-Neng  Robodub Camera self-calibration for drone autopilot Unmanned aerial vehicle  $57,675
2015 UW Jen, Alex The Boeing Company Detection of mechanical and thermal damage in carbon fiber composites using fluorescence imaging Composites; Manufacturing processes  $100,000
2016 UW Jen, Alex The Boeing Company Detection of mechanical and thermal damage in carbon fiber composites using fluorescence imaging Composites; Manufacturing processes  $92,728
2016 WSU Kessler, Michael International Polyol Chemicals, Inc. (IPCI) Bio-based acrylonitrile for low-cost, renewable carbon fiber Composites; Manufacturing processes  $84,060
2017 WSU Kessler, Michael International Polyol Chemicals, Inc. (IPCI) Catalytic conversion of lignocellulosic sugar to acrylonitrile for low-cost renewable carbon fiber Composites; Manufacturing processes  $98,867
2013 WSU Kim, Dave The Boeing Company Characterization and mitigation of drilled composite surface defects in aircraft assembly Composites; Manufacturing processes  $41,634
2015 UW Knowlen, Carl EnergeticX LLC Baffled-tube ram accelerator technology development Aircraft systems  $85,200
2017 UW Knowlen, Carl HyperSciences, Inc.; Systima Technologies High pressure baffled-tube ram accelerator Space systems  $87,766
2014 UW Kramlich, John Imperium Renewables, Inc.; E3 Energy Partners; The Boeing Company Advanced bio-derived aviation fuel combustion: particulate emissions, NOx1 and flame stability Biofuels  $81,527
2013 UW Kramlich, John The Boeing Company; Imperium Renewables, Inc.; E3 Energy Partners Consulting Engineers  Emissions and combustion stability of advanced bio-derived aviation fuels Biofuels  $85,074
2015 UW Kurosaka, Mitsuru Aerojet Rocketdyne; OptiNav, Inc.; GHKN Engineering The continuous rotating detonation engine for propulsion Aircraft systems  $85,000
2016 WWU Larson, Nicole Zodiac Aerospace Characterization of prepreg materials using destructive and non-destructive testing Composites; Manufacturing processes  $99,902
2013 WSU Leachman, Jacob Aerojet Rocketdyne Characterization facility for gelled cryogenic fuels Space systems  $50,000
2019 WSU Leachman, Jacob Blue Origin  Development of a material test stand for new-age cryogenic fuel bladders Aircraft systems  $100,000
2015 WSU Leachman, Jacob Insitu Development of an insulation-free cryogenic hydrogen fuel tank for ScanEagle Manufacturing processes; Unmanned aerial vehicle  $75,000
2016 WSU Leachman, Jacob Insitu Liquid hydrogen fueled ScanEagle Phase II: reducing tank manufacturing cost and increasing the efficiency of small-modular hydrogen liquifaction Manufacturing processes; Unmanned aerial vehicle  $75,000
2017 WSU Leachman, Jacob Insitu Liquid hydrogen fueled ScanEagle Phase III: ground support liquefier development Manufacturing processes; Unmanned aerial vehicle  $100,000
2014 WSU Lei, Hanwu MS Sustainables LLC; USS International Group LLP; Gen-X Energy Group Aromatic hydrocarbons for aviation biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass Biofuels  $89,984
2015 WSU Lei, Hanwu MS Sustainables LLC; USS International Group LLP; Gen-X Energy Group Hydrogen saving process for cycloalkanes in jet fuels from diverse Washington state forest biomasses Biofuels  $80,000
2013 WSU Liu, Chen-Ching The Boeing Company Developing a battery-extender auxiliary power unit (BE-APU) for next-generation commercial airplanes Aircraft systems  $84,930
2014 WSU Liu, Chen-Ching The Boeing Company Developing a battery-extender auxiliary power unit (BE-APU) for next-generation commercial airplanes Aircraft systems  $127,000
2015 WSU Liu, Chen-Ching The Boeing Company Developing a battery-extender auxiliary power unit (BE-APU) for next-generation commercial airplanes: Phase 3-Real-Time Validation Aircraft systems  $100,000
2019 WSU Liu, Hang  Cascade Quality Molding   Manufacturing injection molded aerospace interior parts using lightweight thermoplastic polymer composites Composites; Manufacturing processes  $92,004
2018 WSU Liu, Tian  Ultra Polymers  Lightweight high-performance polymers for aerospace interiors Composites; Manufacturing processes  $55,000
2016 UW Lum, Christopher Hood Technology Corporation; Insitu; Sagetech; Advanced Navigation Positioning Corporation Specialization, testing and integration of NextGen technologies on unmanned aerial systems Unmanned aerial vehicle  $84,311
2014 UW Lum, Christopher Insitu Collaboration and control of multiple unmanned aerial systems Unmanned aerial vehicle  $85,460
2019 UW Lum, Christopher The Boeing Company Experimental validation of flow field measurements for swept wings with ice accretions Fluids & Structures  $80,951
2013 WSU Lynn, Kelvin The Boeing Company Positrons in shape memory NiTi alloys Fluids & Structures  $93,435
2018 UW MacKenzie, Devin  The Boeing Company Printed flexible thermocouple arrays for improved aerospace safety monitoring and manufacturing Composites; Manufacturing processes  $93,417
2014 UW Mamidala, Ramulu The Boeing Company Positrons in shape memory NiTi alloys Fluids & Structures  $66,945
2019 UW Mamishev, Alex  Aerojet Rocketdyne Electrohydrodynamic propulsion and control of aerial vehicles Aircraft systems  $90,000
2018 UW Mamishev, Alex  GT Engineering  Detection of incipient heat damage in composite materials Composites  $91,200
2019 WSU Matveev, Konstantin  Applewhite Aero Precision aerial delivery via low-weight, low-cost UAS Unmanned aerial vehicle  $92,468
2013 UW McCormack, Edward Aerovel Snow depths from the heights: developing a mission-specific civilian unmanned aircraft system for sensing the mountain snowpack Unmanned aerial vehicle  $91,533
2018 WWU Misasi, John  Zodiac Aerospace Scalable formulation of aerospace interior resins Composites; Manufacturing processes  $88,878
2019 WWU Misasi, John  Zodiac Aerospace Demonstration of benzoxazine prepregs for aircraft interior composites Composites; Manufacturing processes  $92,687
2016 UW Morgansen, Kristi Aerojet Rocketdyne High power SEP for autonomous spacecraft operations Space systems  $85,025
2014 UW Morgansen, Kristi Aerojet Rocketdyne Advanced altitude control for solar electric propulsion spacecraft: analysis, modeling and simulations Space systems  $90,000
2015 UW Morgansen, Kristi Aerojet Rocketdyne Guidance, navigation and control autonomy for asteroid sample return missions for solar electric propulsion spacecraft Space systems  $68,570
2018 UW Morgansen, Kristi Fizikl Autonomous warehouse physical inventory using multiple quadrotors Unmanned aerial vehicle  $99,127
2017 UW Morgansen, Kristi Robodub Modeling and control of a shape actuated quadrotor Unmanned aerial vehicle  $95,357
2016 UW Narang, Anshu Safran Engineering Services Continuation based trim and stability analysis for airworthiness certification of transport category airplanes Aircraft systems  $77,097
2019 WSU Nassiri, Somayeh  Global Fiberglass Solutions Processing method and performance database for carbon fiber composite reinforced polymeric concrete Composites; Manufacturing processes  $80,000
2013 UW O'Donnell, Matt The Boeing Company Multimode laser ultrasonics: precise measurement of ultrasound characteristics for composite structure evaluation Composites; Manufacturing processes  $77,725
2017 WWU Peyron, Mark Zodiac Aerospace Transitioning new and re-invented thermoset resins from the lab into aerospace composites Composites; Manufacturing processes  $99,500
2013 UW Mamidala, Ramulu The Boeing Company Real-time inspection while drilling composites Composites; Manufacturing processes  $67,929
2017 UW Reynolds, Matt Echodyne Reconfigurable airborne radar imaging with dynamic metamaterial antennas Aircraft systems  $99,899
2014 WWU Rider, David Zodiac Aerospace Next generation resins for aerospace composites in Washington Composites; Manufacturing processes  $90,000
2014 WSU Ringo, John The Boeing Company; Jazz Semiconductor; Linear Signal Beamforming receiver for mobile aircraft communication - a CDIDIC related project Aircraft systems  $90,000
2013 WSU Ringo, John Linear Signal Beamforming receiver for mobile aircraft communications - a CDADIC related project Aircraft systems  $75,000
2019 WSU Roy, Sandip  Echodyne; Prescient Designs   Analytics for airspace intruder identification Aircraft systems  $100,000
2017 UW Roy, Sumit Insitu Advancing state-of-the-art UAS networking and communication with software defined radios Unmanned aerial vehicle  $97,324
2019 UW Rudell, Jacques Christophe The Boeing Company Integrated CMOS millimeter-wave phased array transceivers with highly-digital elements and self-interference cancellation for radar and communication applications Aircraft systems  $100,000
2015 UW Rudell, Jacques Christophe The Boeing Company; Marvell Semiconductor Area and power optimization techniques for ultra-wideband CMOS mm-wave transceivers Aircraft systems  $85,000
2019 UW Salviato, Marco  Composite Technology Recycling Center; Chomarat; ES3  Design and development of non-conventional, damage tolerant and recyclable structures based on discontinuous fiber composites Composites; Manufacturing processes  $100,000
2014 UW Shen, I-Yeu The Boeing Company Development of lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-silane nano-composite thing film sensors Composites; Manufacturing processes  $57,374
2013 UW Shi, Richard The Boeing Company High sensitivity optical receiver Aircraft systems  $99,661
2014 UW Shi, Richard The Boeing Company High sensitivity plastic fiber optical transceivers Aircraft systems  $87,026
2014 UW Slough, John MSNW LLC Test facility for insulator materials employed in space propulsion, power and communication Space systems  $81,000
2014 WSU Smith, Lloyd The Boeing Company The effect of bond line thickness variation on joint strength Composites; Manufacturing processes  $52,813
2015 WSU Smith, Lloyd The Boeing Company Material property effects on the fatigue behavior of adhesively bonded joints Composites; Manufacturing processes  $73,668
2019 UW Subramanian, Venkat  BAE Systems; WiBotic   Model-based BMS and pack design for current and next generation lithium batteries for aerospace applications Aircraft systems  $100,000
2019 WSU Swensen, John  HeliTrak  Real-time extraction of helicopter analog gauge data using deep neural networks Aircraft systems  $80,775
2013 UW Taya, Minoru Toray Composite Materials America, Inc.; Nabtesco Aerospace, Inc. Development of low-cost and reliable joining method for composite structures by fe-based shape memory alloy Composites; Manufacturing processes  $92,144
2017 UW Taya, Minoru Toray Composite Materials America, Inc.; Quest Integrated Development of a new structural health monitoring based on magnetic nanoparticle-tagged polymer composites by magneto-optic image method Composites; Manufacturing processes  $73,253
2017 WSU Taylor, Matthew  Applewhite Aero Precision aerial delivery via low-weight, low-cost UAS Unmanned aerial vehicle  $75,000
2018 WSU Taylor, Matthew  Applewhite Aero Precision aerial delivery via low-weight, low-cost UAS Unmanned aerial vehicle  $79,441
2014 UW Tuttle, Mark The Boeing Company; HEATCON Embedded sectional heater for temperature control of composite-damage repair Composites; Manufacturing processes  $47,500
2015 UW Tuttle, Mark The Boeing Company; HEATCON Embedded sectioned heating at bond-line for composite-damage repair Composites; Manufacturing processes  $51,927
2018 UW Vagners, Juris  Hood Technology Corporation; Sagetech; Insitu; Advanced Navigation Positioning Corporation  UAV operations in GPS denied skies Unmanned aerial vehicle  $87,223
2019 UW Waas, Tony  Blue Origin; MTorres; Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. Manufacturing and buckling study of curved steered sandwich panels using automated fiber placement (AFP) and out-of-autoclave (OOA) for space launch vehicles Composites; Manufacturing processes  $99,000
2018 UW Waas, Tony  Electroimpact  Design and processing tools for advanced automated fiber placement (AFP) Technology Composites; Manufacturing processes  $99,999
2016 WSU Wang, Jinwu Forest Concepts, LLC; Weyerhaeuser Mechanical pretreatment to produce cellulosic sugars on a demonstration scale Biofuels  $60,324
2015 WSU Wang, Jinwu Forest Concepts, LLC; Boise Cascade Mechanical pretreatment to produce cellulosic sugars at a pilot scale Biofuels  $98,929
2017 UW Winglee, Robert Aerojet Rocketdyne; Eagle Harbor Technologies Pulsed plasma thruster for small satellites and upper atmospheric UAVs Space; Unmanned aerial vehicle  $100,000
2016 UW Winglee, Robert Aerojet Rocketdyne; Andrews Space; Tethers Unlimited; Eagle Harbor Technologies Advanced CubeSat system development Space systems  $100,000
2013 UW Winglee, Robert Eagle Harbor Technologies Enhancing electric propulsion systems in Washington state Space systems  $49,850
2019 WSU Yang, Bin Mercurius Biofuels LLC  Lignin-based jet fuel pilot plant Biofuels  $50,000
2016 WSU Yang, Bin The Boeing Company Catalytic upgrading of biomass-derived lignin to new biojet fuel and its qualification and performance testing Biofuels  $93,523
2017 UW Yang, JK Think Composites; Chomarat; Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. Development of high performance ductile composites based on hybrid C-ply technology Composites; Manufacturing processes  $73,000
2016 UW Yang, JK Think Composites; Toray Composite Materials America, Inc.; Chomarat Design and fabrication of composite wing structures using non-conventional C-ply technology Composites; Manufacturing processes  $70,000
2016 WSU Zhang, Jinwen Global Fiberglass Solutions Mild chemical recycling of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset waste and full utilization of recyclates Composites; Manufacturing processes  $87,020
2017 WSU Zhang, Jinwen Global Fiberglass Solutions Mild chemical recycling of carbon fiber reinforced thermoset wastes and application development of full utilization of the recyclates Composites; Manufacturing processes  $85,777
2016 WSU Zhang, Xiao InnovaTek A novel pathway to convert lignin to jet fuel and carbon fiber precursors: optimizing conversion yield Biofuels  $79,115
2013 WSU Zhong, Katie N/A Bio-based solid polymeric electrolytes for a safer higher performance lithium ion battery, critically needed for future generations of commercial aircraft Aircraft systems $71,479
2018 WSU Zhong, Katie UniEnergy Technologies  A gummy electrolyte with damage-tolerance and thermal-protection capabilities for safer li-ion batteries Aircraft systems  $94,457
2019 CWU (capstone project) Johnson, Craig The Boeing Company Recycle processor for commercial aircraft wing trimmings Composites; Manufacturing processes $5,000
2018 CWU (capstone project) Johnson, Craig The Boeing Company Recycle processor for 777 wing trimmings Composites; Manufacturing processes $5,000
Source: JCATI staff.

* Descriptions of research categories

  • Aircraft systems refers to the primary systems that can be found on most airplanes, including engine, propulsion, auxiliary power unit, flight control, electrical, communication, and environmental control systems.
  • Biofuels are transportation fuels made from biomass.
  • Composites are defined as two or more materials that are combined to achieve superior performance than what is possible with the starting materials.
  • Fluids and structures is the field of studying the interaction of a structure with an internal or surrounding fluid.
  • Manufacturing processes are the steps through which raw materials are transformed and assembled into an aircraft.
  • Space systems refers to any project related to outer space.
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) do not have a pilot on-board and are controlled remotely.

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Report Details

Appendix B: Applicable statutes

JCATI's enabling statute and Sunset Act provisions

Joint center for aerospace technology innovation.

RCW 28B.155.010

(1) The joint center for aerospace technology innovation is created to:

(a) Pursue joint industry-university research in computing, manufacturing efficiency, materials/structures innovation, and other new technologies that can be used in aerospace firms;

(b) Enhance the education of students in the engineering departments of the University of Washington, Washington State University, and other participating institutions through industry-focused research; and

(c) Work directly with existing small, medium-sized, and large aerospace firms and aerospace industry associations to identify research needs and opportunities to transfer off-the-shelf technologies that would benefit such firms.

(2) The center shall be operated and administered as a multi-institutional education and research center, conducting research and development programs in various locations within Washington under the joint authority of the University of Washington and Washington State University. The initial administrative offices of the center shall be west of the crest of the Cascade mountains. In order to meet aerospace industry needs, the facilities and resources of the center must be made available to all four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016. Resources include, but are not limited to, internships, on-the-job training, and research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty.

(3) The powers of the center are vested in and shall be exercised by a board of directors. The board shall consist of nine members appointed by the governor. The governor shall appoint a nonvoting chair. Of the eight voting members, one member shall represent small aerospace firms, one member shall represent medium-sized firms, one member shall represent large aerospace firms, one member shall represent labor, two members shall represent aerospace industry associations, and two members shall represent higher education. The terms of the initial members shall be staggered.

(4) The board shall hire an executive director. The executive director shall hire such staff as the board deems necessary to operate the center. Staff support may be provided from among the cooperating institutions through cooperative agreements to the extent funds are available. The executive director may enter into cooperative agreements for programs and research with public and private organizations including state and nonstate agencies consistent with policies of the participating institutions.

(5) The board must:

(a) Work with aerospace industry associations and aerospace firms of all sizes to identify the research areas that will benefit the intermediate and long-term economic vitality of the Washington aerospace industry;

(b) Identify entrepreneurial researchers to join or lead research teams in the research areas specified in (a) of this subsection and the steps the University of Washington and Washington State University will take to recruit such researchers;

(c) Assist firms to integrate existing technologies into their operations and align the activities of the center with those of impact Washington to enhance services available to aerospace firms;

(d) Develop internships, on-the-job training, research, and other opportunities and ensure that all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an aerospace engineering curriculum have direct experience with aerospace firms;

(e) Assist researchers and firms in safeguarding intellectual property while advancing industry innovation;(f) Develop and strengthen university-industry relationships through promotion of faculty collaboration with industry, and sponsor at least one annual symposium focusing on aerospace research in the state of Washington;

(g) Encourage a full range of projects from small research projects that meet the specific needs of a smaller company to large scale, multipartner projects;

(h) Develop nonstate support of the center's research activities through leveraging dollars from federal and private for-profit and nonprofit sources;

(i) Leverage its financial impact through joint support arrangements on a project-by-project basis as appropriate;

(j) Establish mechanisms for soliciting and evaluating proposals and for making awards and reporting on technological progress, financial leverage, and other measures of impact;

(k) By June 30, 2013, develop an operating plan that includes the specific processes, methods, or mechanisms the center will use to accomplish each of its duties as set out in this subsection; and

(l) Report biennially to the legislature and the governor about the impact of the center's work on the state's economy and the aerospace sector, with projections of future impact, providing indicators of its impact, and outlining ideas for enhancing benefits to the state. The report must be coordinated with the governor's office , and the department of commerce.

[ 2014 c 174 § 3; 2014 c 112 § 102; 2012 c 242 § 1.]

NOTES:Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2014 c 112 § 102 and by 2014 c 174 § 3, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Sunset Act application: See note following chapter digest.

Intent—2014 c 174: See note following RCW 28B.50.902.

Sunset Act: Findings. (Expires June 30, 2025.)

RCW 43.131.020

The state legislature finds that state entities may fail to deliver services as effectively and efficiently as is expected by the general public and as originally contemplated by the legislature. It further finds that state government actions have produced a substantial increase in numbers of entities, growth of programs, and proliferation of rules, and that the entire process has evolved without sufficient legislative and executive oversight, regulatory accountability, or a system of checks and balances. The legislature further finds that by establishing a system for the termination, continuation, or modification of state entities, coupled with a system of scheduled review of such entities, it will be in a better position to: Evaluate the need for the continued existence of existing and future state entities; assess the effectiveness and performance of agencies, boards, commissions, and programs; and ensure public accountability. The legislature recognizes that the executive branch shares in this duty and responsibility to assure that state government operates in an efficient, orderly, and responsive manner.

[ 2000 c 189 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 289 § 2.]

Sunset Act: Program and fiscal review—Reports. (Expires June 30, 2025.)

RCW 43.131.051

The joint legislative audit and review committee shall conduct a program and fiscal review of any entity scheduled for termination under this chapter. This program and fiscal review shall be completed and a preliminary report prepared during the calendar year prior to the date established for termination. These reports shall be prepared in the manner set forth in RCW 44.28.071 and 44.28.075. Upon completion of its preliminary report, the joint legislative audit and review committee shall transmit copies of the report to the office of financial management and any affected entity. The final report shall include the response, if any, of the affected entity and the office of financial management in the same manner as set forth in RCW 44.28.088, except the affected entity and the office of financial management shall have sixty days to respond to the report. The joint legislative audit and review committee shall transmit the final report to the legislature, to the state entity affected, to the governor, and to the state library.

[ 2000 c 189 § 4.]

Sunset Act: Scope of review—Recommendations to the legislature. (Expires June 30, 2025.)

RCW 43.131.071

(1) In conducting the review of an entity, the joint legislative audit and review committee shall determine the scope and objectives of the review and consider, but not be limited to, the following factors, if applicable:

(a) The extent to which the entity has complied with legislative intent;

(b) The extent to which the entity is operating in an efficient and economical manner which results in optimum performance;

(c) The extent to which the entity is operating in the public interest by controlling costs;

(d) The extent to which the entity duplicates the activities of other entities or of the private sector;

(e) The extent to which the entity is meeting the performance measures developed under RCW 43.131.061; and

(f) The possible impact of the termination or modification of the entity.

(2) After completing the review under subsection (1) of this section, the committee shall make its recommendations to the legislature.

[ 2000 c 189 § 6.]

Sunset Act: Joint center for aerospace technology innovation—Termination.

RCW 43.131.417

The joint center for aerospace technology innovation shall be terminated July 1, 2020, as provided in RCW 43.131.418.

[ 2013 2nd sp.s. c 24 § 2; 2012 c 242 § 3.]

Sunset Act: Joint center for aerospace technology innovation—Repeal.

RCW 43.131.418

The following acts or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed, effective July 1, 2021:

(1) RCW 28B.155.010 and 2014 c 112 s 102 & 2012 c 242 s 1; and

(2) RCW 28B.155.020 and 2012 c 242 s 2.

[ 2014 c 112 § 122; 2013 2nd sp.s. c 24 § 3; 2012 c 242 § 4.]

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Recommendations & Responses

Legislative Auditor Recommendation

The Legislative Auditor recommends continuing JCATI

Recommendation: The Legislature should continue JCATI because the legislative intent to pursue industry-university aerospace research, enhance the education of students, and work with aerospace firms in Washington is being met.

Without this legislative action, JCATI will end.

Legislation Required: Yes. Absent specific action by the Legislature, Chapter 28B.155 will expire July 1, 2020.
Fiscal Impact: $3 million a biennium if funded at current level
Implementation Date: June 30, 2020
Agency Response: JCATI concurs

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Recommendations & Responses

JCATI

JCATIResp.png

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Recommendations & Responses

Current Recommendation Status

The Legislative Auditor recommendation was implemented in the 2020 legislative session. RCW 43.1361.417.

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

More About This Review

Audit Authority

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) works to make state government operations more efficient and effective. The Committee is comprised of an equal number of House members and Senators, Democrats and Republicans.

JLARC's non-partisan staff auditors, under the direction of the Legislative Auditor, conduct performance audits, program evaluations, sunset reviews, and other analyses assigned by the Legislature and the Committee.

The statutory authority for JLARC, established in Chapter 44.28 RCW, requires the Legislative Auditor to ensure that JLARC studies are conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, as applicable to the scope of the audit. This study was conducted in accordance with those applicable standards. Those standards require auditors to plan and perform audits to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for findings and conclusions based on the audit objectives. The evidence obtained for this JLARC report provides a reasonable basis for the enclosed findings and conclusions, and any exceptions to the application of audit standards have been explicitly disclosed in the body of this report.

Committee Action to Distribute Report

On December 4, 2019 this report was approved for distribution by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.

Action to distribute this report does not imply the Committee agrees or disagrees with the Legislative Auditor recommendations.

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

More About This Review

Study Questions

 

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

More About This Review

Methodology

The methodology JLARC staff use when conducting analyses is tailored to the scope of each study, but generally includes the following:

  • Interviews with stakeholders, agency representatives, and other relevant organizations or individuals.
  • Site visits to entities that are under review.
  • Document reviews, including applicable laws and regulations, agency policies and procedures pertaining to study objectives, and published reports, audits or studies on relevant topics.
  • Data analysis, which may include data collected by agencies and/or data compiled by JLARC staff. Data collection sometimes involves surveys or focus groups.
  • Consultation with experts when warranted. JLARC staff consult with technical experts when necessary to plan our work, to obtain specialized analysis from experts in the field, and to verify results.

The methods used in this study were conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.

More details about specific methods related to individual study objectives are described in the body of the report under the report details tab or in technical appendices.

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Contact

JLARC Authors

Amanda Eadrick, Research Analyst, 360-786-5174

Melanie Stidham, Research Analyst, 360-786-5183

Valerie Whitener, Audit Coordinator

Keenan Konopaski, Legislative Auditor

19-06 Final Report: Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation Sunset Review

December 2019

Contact

JLARC Members

Senators

Bob Hasegawa

Mark Mullet, Chair

Rebecca Saldaña

Shelly Short

Dean Takko

Lynda Wilson, Secretary

Keith Wagoner

Representatives

Jake Fey

Noel Frame

Larry Hoff

Christine Kilduff

Vicki Kraft

Ed Orcutt, Vice Chair

Gerry Pollet, Assistant Secretary

Drew Stokesbary