Research
Research
As a global leader in sustainability research, we're closing the gap between theory and practice when it comes to transitioning industrial systems to the circular economy.
Our facilities boast more than 84,000 square feet of labs and testbeds, with over 100 full-time engineers, technicians, research faculty, and sponsored students on staff. The diverse perspectives we bring to a problem reflect our broad expertise across industries, not to mention the partnerships we’ve formed with the businesses, government agencies, and research bodies that are driving innovation within sustainability today.
Research Centers
Each of our research centers helps our corporate and government partners move forward on sustainability in unique ways. All together they work towards three key outcomes: new applications of advanced technology, sustainable industrial processes and practices, and data-informed policy recommendations.
Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery
The Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery explores new technologies that recover and recapture the embedded value typically lost when products reach the end of their life cycle.
Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing
The Center of Excellence in Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing helps New York state manufacturers develop and apply new technologies that create competitive business advantages.
Sustainable Energy Systems
The Center for Sustainable Energy Systems seeks to reduce the energy consumed in the production, distribution, use, and disposal of products and industrial materials.
Transportation and Mobility
The Center for Sustainable Mobility explores practical applications of autonomous vehicles, sensors and components, smart cities software, and communication tools that will enable more intelligent and effective mobility systems.
Clean Production
The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute gives New York State businesses, communities, and nonprofit organizations customized solutions and educational resources that help them realize the benefits of sustainability.
NanoPower
The NanoPower Research Laboratories researches novel nanomaterials, devices for power generation and storage, and emerging materials for photonic and optoelectronic applications.
We brought together the largest consortia of business, government, and academia to advance promising circular economy technologies in the U.S.—the REMADE Institute.
Faculty Research
From resource scarcity to climate change, our faculty are meeting today’s most pressing challenges head on to find new opportunities for the circular economy. Focusing on food waste, electronic waste, renewable energy, and energy policy, their research helps government and industry decision-makers achieve sustainable growth through technological innovation and policy-making. Explore some of their most recently completed projects below or view all faculty scholarships.
Dr. Callie Babbitt
Dr. Eric Williams
Dr. Thomas A. Trabold
“We look forward to working with RIT in developing new ideas—both from academic and industrial viewpoints—that will educate engineers and scientists in support of the circular economy.”
- Jules Hayward, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Latest News
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September 8, 2021
![environmental portrait of professor Guiping Hu.]()
New department head brings dual passions for sustainability and collaboration to RIT
Guiping Hu recently began her new role as the sustainability department head at Golisano Institute for Sustainability. Hu arrived on campus from Iowa State University, where she served on the faculty of the Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering department.
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August 31, 2021
![Solar panels for the Kayenta Solar Project on the Navajo Nation]()
RIT professor to work with Native American communities pursuing energy sovereignty
Assistant Professor Nathan Williams and doctoral student Sherralyn Sneezer to lead research that will help identify potential pathways to energy sovereignty in Native American communities.
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August 12, 2021
![mounds of electronic garbage piled up in a room.]()
RIT sustainability professor will lead NSF grant studying data privacy on home devices
The three-year study, led by Eric Williams, a professor in the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, will look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition toward increased telework and mobile working and resulting implications on data security and e-waste.
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July 22, 2021
![RIT Graduate School logo lockup.]()
RIT’s new Graduate School looks toward future
Graduate education at RIT has evolved over the last 60 years, and now, the university has officially created the RIT Graduate School, replacing the RIT Office of Graduate Education.
Industry Collaboration
We also work with businesses large and small on technical problem solving, product or production process innovation, new technology development and more.