Signature Initiatives

Throughout the history of Golisano Institute for Sustainability, there have been long-term projects we have pursued to have far-reaching impacts in areas we care about. These, our signature initiatives, represent some of the most influential programs we have launched to bring change to key industries.

Person controlling robotic arm for manufacturing

REMADE Institute

Dr. Nabil Nasr, the director of GIS, was instrumental in the formation of the REMADE Institute, the largest U.S. research consortium dedicated to maturing the state of promising recycling and remanufacturing technologies. GIS, under the direction of Dr. Nasr, led the proposal team of 26 universities, 44 companies, 26 trade associations, seven national labs, and three states to submit a winning proposal in response to the original RFP issued by the U.S. DOE in 2017. Learn more ›

RIT Bal Dixit High Temperature Materials Lab

High Temperature Materials

We are leading an effort to attract and educate a new generation of thermal protection product developers and researchers through the development of a new research lab focused on establishing partnerships dedicated to improving the science behind thermal safety product industry. The lab will advance the science and technology of thermal protective textiles to increase market competitiveness, human safety, and environmental health. This was made possible by a generous donation by Bal Dixit, chairman of Newtex Industries. Learn about our lab ›

Industry 4.0

We are preparing manufacturers in New York State for the fourth industrial revolution, as things like robotics, Internet of Things, big data, and machine learning are becoming more pervasive across the sector. GIS is working with companies to help them understand the benefits of these processes and technologies and identify the most impactful opportunities to adopt them within their companies. Learn more ›

Additive manufacturing equipment in operation

Remanufacturing Technology Roadmap

In 2017, GIS published a report identifying research priorities that would improve remanufacturers’ capabilities and competitiveness of U.S.-based firms. The report was used to build consensus around barriers to competitiveness and research priorities. This report informed the research priorities in the early formation of the REMADE Institute. See the report ›

RIT Sustainable Innovation Lab

Sustainable Innovation Lab

In partnership with Staples Inc., GIS conducted extensive research to develop deeper understandings of the sustainability impacts of the office environment with the goal of helping businesses make more sustainable purchasing decisions. Research conducted in this lab built a framework for office-related businesses in the new Circular Economy – mainly helping to better understand product flows for customers and understand the methods of recovery and reuse of products that had the highest economic value and lowest social and environmental burden on the system. The initiative and lab space was made possible by a generous donation by Staples Inc., which had an active role in ensuring the projects made a positive impact on the environment.

Food waste being composted

Food Waste Initiatives

GIS is leading efforts to better understand and mitigate the problem of food waste in the U.S. in various ways. With sponsorships from the National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Conservation, and National Grid, GIS is conducting research on waste diversion, energy and water efficiency, resource conservation, ecosystem health, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and techno-economic and life cycle environmental assessment. Assessment and technology development services are offered to businesses to make a direct impact on the industry, while important research findings are shared with government agencies to impact future policy.