“I’ve always felt like when you have friends who don’t know each other, you should do as much as you can to help them get to know each other, right?” said U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer. The University of North Dakota and Vorbeck Materials have signed a memorandum of understanding to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial manufacturing in the defense and aerospace sectors.
The agreement was formalized Nov. 4 during the 2026 Space Operations Summit in Grand Forks, UND Today reported. By aligning the university’s research capabilities in autonomous systems and national security with the industry experience of Vorbeck Materials, the partnership aims to accelerate the transition of emerging technologies from laboratory environments to real-world applications.
Connecting Research to Production
The collaboration focuses on using shared expertise to address rapid technological changes. Vorbeck Materials, founded in 2006, specializes in graphene-based technologies for military, first responder, and aerospace use. The company recently opened a manufacturing facility in Grand Forks, a move that provides the physical infrastructure necessary to scale discoveries made at the university level.
“Vorbeck’s expertise and manufacturing capabilities complement the research happening across UND,” said Scott Snyder, the university’s vice president for Research and Economic Development. “Through this agreement, we can move promising technologies from discovery to deployment.”
Strengthening National Defense
The initiative seeks to synchronize research, engineering, and manufacturing to solve defense-related challenges before they become critical. Sen. Cramer, who presided over the signing ceremony, noted that the partnership is designed to anticipate emerging needs by fostering deeper ties between private industry and regional academic institutions.
Tyler Sletten, site leader for Vorbeck’s North Dakota operations, emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the state’s commitment to defense technology. “We’re so proud to join forces with UND, bringing research and industry together to develop technologies that strengthen our national defense,” Sletten said. “This is the kind of work that matters, and exactly the kind of work North Dakota should be known for.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific technologies will the partnership focus on?
The collaboration targets advanced materials, aerospace, unmanned systems, and defense-related research. These areas combine Vorbeck’s graphene-based product development with UND’s established research strengths in autonomous systems.
What is the primary goal of the memorandum of understanding?
The agreement creates a formal framework to move emerging technologies from the discovery phase in a laboratory setting to operational use in the field. It also establishes a pathway for future workforce initiatives and joint pursuit of federal funding opportunities.
Where is this work taking place?
The research and development will be centered in Grand Forks, where Vorbeck Materials has recently established a new manufacturing facility to support its regional operations.
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