About

Our original Applied Research & Technology Center established in 1998 was reorganized in July 2004 as the Center for Applied Research and Technology, Inc. (CART) to:

• Enhance the competitive position of Bluefield State College (BSC) for applied research opportunities in the current environment for research and development;
• Promote the general economic development of the region;
• Expedite and simplify the acquisition and utilization of research contracts;
• Improve technology transfer;
• Link applied scientific research and technological advancements to economic development of the State of West Virginia.
• CART is a non-profit, non-stock corporation under the general corporation laws of the state organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes;
• Designed to foster and support applied research at the (BSC) School for Engineering Technology & Computer Science (SET);
• Provide evaluation, development, patenting, management and marketing for the inventions and diverse service capabilities of its students, faculty, and staff.
• CART operations are subject to an independent audit. 

CART provides leadership in applied engineering research and development that serves to enhance research, contract development, grant, and research contract administration for BSC-SET.CART provides business management services for BSC-SET as it conducts focused product development programs based on innovative research. It also provides technical assistance, continuing education, and economic development that enhance the College’s competitive edge in technology development regionally and nationally.CART business consultation services to our region include:

• Fostering creative entrepreneurial activities emanating from the Schools by investing in the professional development of research associates and partners.
• Generating research dollars for reinvestment in the College and its programs by writing effective research proposals, managing the subsequent research projects, and responsibly reporting results to stakeholders.
• Leasing research equipment and facilities for use by applied research associates for CART-led projects.
• Evaluates, protects, and markets inventions created by researchers at the college. Contacts patent agents/attorneys to obtain patents on SET community inventions and for licensing, developing and commercializing its products, and transferring technologies to markets.
• Continuing the development, support and marketing for our advanced vehicle robotics and unmanned systems laboratory programs.
• Managing and marketing the CART course management service (CMS) – a self-sufficient online course management system that delivers credit and non-credit professional development courses nationwide.