Energy, sustainability, technology, and so much more. We so frequently see advancements in these fields that have major impacts on our daily lives but often don’t know where they come from. Research at SUNY is supporting many efforts in these fields that make positive change to our workforce, environment, and daily lives.
Nearly 2 billion dollars of investment in SUNY research from public and private sources is helping projects develop that can have major impacts on many aspects of our lives. These funds bring facilities to campus and help students and faculty get support to bring their ideas into a prototype state ready for production. With major events recently taking place announcing new facilities focused on STEM coming to SUNY schools, engineering programs at SUNY are in the spotlight.
What are some of the engineering projects taking place at SUNY and leading the way forward for New York? See some of the latest impacts in various fields below.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute Partners with Global Tech Company to Open Semiconductor Chip Facility
Wolfspeed, a global leader in silicon carbide technology and production, opened a fabrication facility for semiconductors, or “chips,” on the SUNY Polytechnic Institute campus this spring, initiating a Mohawk Valley-based partnership that seeks to fill the gaps in workforce development for emerging high-tech industries and advanced manufacturing. The company aims to create over 600 new jobs at the facility over the first eight years of operation as well as provide internships and research positions for SUNY students.
UB Leads $7.5M Project Funded by DoD to Advance Computer Chip Security and Reliability
The University at Buffalo was selected by the Department of Defense to steer a project aimed at developing new testing strategies for semiconductor chips focused on evaluating performance and security. Led by the project’s principal investigator, UB professor Dr. Paras Prasad, a team of researchers from several institutions including UB, Columbia University, Boston University, the National University of Singapore, and the University of Cambridge will be contributing to the project’s success.
New $16M Clean Energy Tech Facility Opened at SUNY Morrisville
SUNY Morrisville in February 2022 completed construction on their $16-million-dollar Agricultural and Clean Energy Technology Center, a 30,000-sq.-foot hands-on learning facility for students in programs concerning renewable energy, agricultural engineering, and diesel technology. The building houses labs that will provide students the space and ability to put their theoretical teachings into practice, which many students and faculty comment is an essential aspect of completing their training in these high-demand fields.
The University at Buffalo Modernizes the Wind Turbine
To meet the projected demands for electricity while reducing fossil fuel emissions, the University at Buffalo teamed up with Atrevida Science to develop an active morphing blade to operate at 14 percent greater efficiency than current wind turbines. A team at the University at Buffalo aims to have the blade automatically adjust to real-time changes in wind and speed direction, reducing the likelihood of turbine failures by 70 percent. Their revamped design will eventually assist in various applications including aviation, aerospace, shipbuilding, uncrewed aerial vehicles, onshore wind generation, and other sectors.
Engineering Innovation Hub Housed at SUNY New Paltz
SUNY New Paltz’s Engineering Innovation Hub (EIH) was built in 2019 to expand student opportunities related to mechanical engineering. The building houses workforce development training for highly skilled engineering jobs throughout New York State through innovative teaching and top-of-the-line research lab spaces. Students who utilize EIH can directly become the next generation of innovators, resulting in a bolstered New York State economy.
The Future of Battery Technology at Binghamton University
Binghamton University is on the way to becoming a national hub for lithium-ion battery technology and manufacturing. Research in clean and efficient battery technology already has a large presence on campus, thanks to the work of Nobel Prize winning professor of chemistry Stan Whittingham. A manufacturing plant would connect the research and development work with production that could bring advancements taking place at SUNY into the consumer marketplace, helping lift New York’s economy in many ways.
