About Partnerships
The Large Lakes Observatory (LLO) at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) is a globally recognized research institute dedicated to the scientific study of the largest freshwater lakes on Earth. Situated at the headwaters of Lake Superior, LLO serves as an ideal bridge between oceanographic capabilities and freshwater science. We welcome external partnerships with academic institutions, non-profit research organizations, federal agencies, and blue technology industry leaders seeking to leverage our research fleet, analytical facilities, and open-water test environments.
Partnership Pathways
We tailor our collaborative agreements to align with the technical requirements, regulatory frameworks, and intellectual property needs of our partners.
| Partner Category | Engagement Opportunities | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Industry & Blue Tech Developers | Open-water device testing, sensor prototyping, cabled observatory trials, marine energy validation. | Direct access to permitted test sites, ocean-like freshwater conditions, and UNOLS vessel support. |
| Academic Institutions | Joint NSF, NOAA, and DOE grant proposals, shared vessel charters, collaborative field sampling campaigns. | Access to decades-long Great Lakes environmental baselines and deep-water limnological expertise. |
| Non-Profits & Public Agencies | Regional water quality monitoring, environmental impact studies, autonomous system field trials. | Rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific data collection and strategic policy-support frameworks. |
Open-Water Testing Facilities
LLO is home to the first dedicated freshwater open-water testing facility within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research (TEAMER) Facility Network.
Lake Superior provides dynamic, ocean-scale sea states—including wind-driven waves, deep water stratification, and seasonal ice cover—offering developers an intermediate, lower-risk testing ground to validate performance, hydrodynamics, control systems, and sensor durability before ocean deployment.