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Welcome to ITI

The Iowa Technology Institute, founded in 1981 as the Center for Computer-Aided Design, is a world-class research hub at the University of Iowa. Grounded in engineering and science, ITI cultivates collaboration across disciplines, invents advanced technologies, and conducts trailblazing basic and applied research in design, simulation, and experimentation that enables a safer and more productive future.

Explore the latest research at OPL

The University of Iowa's Operator Performance Lab, directed by Dr. Tom "Mach" Schnell, is a flight testing laboratory with a fleet of jets, helicopters, Humvees, and UAVs.

Jun Wang receives 2022 Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award

Jun Wang, professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, received an American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) 2022 Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award. The Ascent Award recognizes excellence in research and leadership in the atmospheric and climate sciences from honorees between eight and 20 years of receiving their PhD.

Explore Our Mission Areas

Advanced Manufacturing and Materials

Aerospace Technology

Biotechnology

Environment and Energy

Human Modeling and Simulation

Systems and Sensors

Explore Our Partnerships

ITI has a number of strategic partnerships with academic institutions, consortia and membership organizations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses. These help fund and support our research and development.

See partnerships

Recent News

Flyover State: Iowa Engineers Set Their Sights on the Future of Aviation

Thursday, March 9, 2023

University of Iowa Center for Advancement

Tom Schnell, an associate director for the UI’s Iowa Technology Institute and the Captain Jim “Max” Gross Chair in the UI College of Engineering, is the founder of the Operator Performance Laboratory. Since arriving in Iowa City 25 years ago this spring, Schnell has built the OPL into a nationally trusted aviation research hub.

Xuan Song receives prestigious NSF CAREER award to research novel ceramic manufacturing methods

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

University of Iowa Technology Institute

Xuan Song, University of Iowa engineering professor, has received the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award to advance research of ceramic additive manufacturing, which could benefit industries, including health care, defense, and energy.

WATCH: Schnell, LTC Highland brief DARPA on Air Combat Evolution

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

University of Iowa Technology Institute

Tom "Mach" Schnell, a University of Iowa industrial engineering professor and director of Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL), and Lt. Col. Patrick "Dice" Highland, a recent UI PhD and Commander of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Detachment 3 in San Diego, Calif., briefed national security leaders on a project that aims to improve artificial intelligence in aerial combat.

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