Materials testing company Sentient Science took a different approach to relocating its headquarters than most science firms, but given the company’s highly innovative nature, the new real estate shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.
According to The Buffalo News, Sentient, which focuses on products for testing conducted in the aerospace, defense and energy sectors, recently took up residence in the University of Buffalo’s Jacobs Executive Development Center – a sprawling brick building on Delaware Avenue’s “Millionaire Row” that was once the Butler Mansion.
The decision to head to Buffalo from Idaho was largely based on the strong presence of computer scientists and engineers studying at the University of Buffalo. More information on the move will be presented during the official press conference in June.
“Everything came together, and we said, ‘This is where we want to start our company – the commercial side of the company,'” said Wesley Thomas, Sentient business developer and son of CEO and president Ward Thomas.
‘Pretty cool’ science
Back in 2000, Sentient began using its DigitalClone technology, which companies could use to eliminate manual testing processes in several industries. Whether it’s the mechanics of a helicopter, the strength of steel in bridges or the durability of a medical hip implant, Sentient’s solutions make testing much quicker and more efficient.
It goes like this: each component undergoes testing conducted by sensors and simulations, putting the product through the exact conditions it may face once it enters the market. This may include how long a piece of equipment can perform at its top function or if structural integrity will endure, and it can even help companies schedule in advance when they will need to replace a certain part or asset.
To do all this manually, Thomas says, would require huge amounts of time and money. Paul Pfeiffer, director of investor and public relations for Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, added that ultimately, Sentient’s solutions will give multiple industries the ability to “make a better product.”
“The science that they have, the business problems they solve, the uniqueness of what they do is pretty cool,” Pfeiffer said.
Innovation is key
Just as the company decided to move into a mansion complete with terraces and columns, Sentient has a different take on developing modeling and simulations for the manufacturing sector. The closest comparison, Sentient said, is how biologists are breaking down the human genome in DNA. Sentient first wowed NASA scientists in 2010, when it proved it could replicate testing data the space agency spent millions of dollars – and decades – to compile.
“Now that we’ve proven it, we’re quickly commercializing it,” Thomas asserts.
Considering the company focuses heavily on wind turbine testing, the move to New York makes even more sense. The state currently has 1,418 megawatts of wind energy online – enough to power 340,000 homes – with 129 MW added in 2011 alone. Currently, it is the 12th best state in the country in terms of wind energy installed.
At the official press conference on June 13, government officials, business representatives and university faculty will all be on hand to welcome Sentient as the newest member of the Buffalo science community.