University Research Centers & Institutes
KU Engineering is home to 4 university research centers and 7 research centers within the school. From sustainable fuel production to remote sensing in the artic, KU Engineering's 11 research centers and institutes are leading engineering research in Kansas.
Center For Environmental Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC)
The vision of the CEBC is to make available to industry "sustainable" manufacturing processes - improved processes that minimize their "environmental footprint" while remaining profitable. This NSF-funded Engineering Research Center established in 2003 has laboratories, offices and conference rooms at KU's Life Sciences Research Laboratory at 1501 Wakarusa Dr., Building A in Lawrence. The center is led by Bala Subramaniam, Dan F. Servey distinguished professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at KU. Watch Dr. Bala Subramaniam's TED Talk-style presentation of his research.
Center for Remote Sensing of Integrated Systems (CReSIS)
Established in summer of 2005, this NSF-funded Science and Technology Center has office and laboratory space in Nichols Hall on KU's West Campus. The multidisciplinary, multi-institutional center is developing new sensors, methods of collecting data, communication tools and modeling to better understand the mass balance of the world's polar ice sheets and their contribution to global sea-level change.
Institute for Bioengineering Research (IBER)
The Institute for Bioengineering Research Center strives to create solutions for problems centered in bioengineering, medicine and biology. The Center provides the mechanisms to facilitate and promote the introduction of new technologies to the clinic. It opens the door to the fastest growing field in engineering and to the discipline that is attracting the best and brightest young engineers. The multidisciplinary center — led by Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering Paulette Spencer, Ph.D., D.D.S. — works to design solutions for problems affecting the health and well being of society as well as advance discovery and turn ideas into materials, devices and technologies for the diagnosis and management of human disease. Watch Dr. Stehno-Bittel's TED Talk-style presentation of her research.
Institute for Information Sciences (I2S)
Located in Nichols Hall on KU's West Campus, I2S provides additional laboratory space for over 30 engineering faculty. The center conducts fundamental research and develops technologies in the areas of computing, communications, bioinformatics, signal processing, cyber security, and sensors. The center's eight research laboratories cover a wide range of projects, from increasing the speed and efficiency of the Internet to developing advanced radar capabilities for national defense. The center is led by Perry Alexander, professor of electrical engineering and computer science.
School of Engineering Research Centers Garrison Flight Test Center/KU Hangar
Located at the Lawrence Municipal Airport, north of Lawrence, the 18,000 square-foot hangar offers recently renovated laboratory and office space for aerospace engineering faculty, as well as classrooms and meeting and collaboration rooms for graduate students and undergraduates. The facility, named for Walt Garrison, who earned both a bachelor's and master's in aerospace in 1947 and 1948, also offers design and construction space for student projects. Faculty, students and staff conduct research in computational fluid dynamics, fluid physics and turbulence, applied aerodynamics, aero-acoustics, structural mechanics and materials, flight dynamics, and flight-testing.
Infrastructure Research Institute
The Infrastructure Research Institute performs research and develops methods, structures and products to enhance infrastructure around the world. Research areas include structural engineering and materials, architectural engineering, water resources, transportation and geotechnical engineering. The IRI is led by David Darwin, Deane E. Ackers distinguished professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering. Its office is at 2142C Learned Hall.
University of Kansas Transportation Center (KUTC)
The KU Transportation Center (KUTC) conducts, coordinates, and promotes transportation research, training and technology transfer to the State of Kansas and the surrounding region. It's a multidisciplinary center that encompasses several research and technology transfer programs. Primary areas of interest are highway engineering and maintenance, traffic engineering and safety, workforce development and community transit.
C0GEiS: Center for Net Carbon Zero GeoEnergy Intelligence and Sustainability
At C⓪GEiS, we perform multidisciplinary research to develop disruptive and transformational Physics-inspired (PAI), Explainable (XAI), and Resilient (RAI) AI systems (PXR-AI)©* to accelerate the Net Carbon Zero Geo Energy development efforts and use Offshore and Onshore resources in an environmentally friendly way.
Wonderful Institute For Sustainable Engineering
WISE will advance global sustainability through transformational engineering, science, and education. We aim to focus on creative solutions that can be applied to real-world issues promoting the societal, economic, and environmental benefits of sustainable and green engineering.
Tertiary Oil Recovery Program (TORP)
TORP has developed a research facility at the University of Kansas equipped to handle laboratory experiments specifically related to oil recovery. The aim of TORP research services is to evaluate the full potential of the oil recovery process in the region. This includes tertiary oil recovery as well as more standard technologies such as waterflooding.
National Center for Construction Safety (NCCS)
The Craig & Diane Martin National Center for Construction Safety, based in the civil engineering department, advances safety management, research and development with the goal of directly improving safety outcomes and productivity in the construction industry.