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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November 12, 2021
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RIT taking part in nationwide study to reduce food waste
Spectrum News talks to Callie Babbitt, professor of sustainability, and Diana Rodriguez Alberto, a sustainability Ph.D. student, about their research on reducing food waste.
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November 3, 2021
![Abu Islam, senior prognostics and health management engineer at GIS]()
New prognostics and health management engineer is advancing sustainable product development at GIS
Abu Islam recently joined GIS’s research staff. He was previously the director of the advanced technology group at Xerox where he led development of next-generation printing technologies.
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November 3, 2021
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RIT ranks No. 36 among top ‘green’ colleges by Princeton Review
For the 11th consecutive year, RIT has been named one of the greenest universities by The Princeton Review.
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October 27, 2021
![logo for RIC-RIT World Remanufacturing Conference.]()
World Remanufacturing Conference brings industry thought leaders together virtually
More than 100 thought leaders and executives from around the world—including South Korea, Japan, and Europe—gathered virtually Oct. 20-21 for the RIC-RIT World Remanufacturing Conference, which featured the latest information on emerging trends and issues of critical importance to the remanufacturing industry.
Industry Collaboration
We also work with businesses large and small on technical problem solving, product or production process innovation, new technology development and more.