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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.

ITI faculty affiliates play critical role in multi-institutional biomanufacturing project

A multidisciplinary team of University of Iowa engineering faculty and faculty affiliates of the Iowa Technology Institute, will contribute to a $20 million, multi-institutional project to boost Iowa’s position as a leader in bioscience and advanced manufacturing.

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

ITI graduate research assistants get first-hand experience with NASA airborne research

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

University of Iowa students recently experienced airborne research firsthand, traveling to California's Mojave Desert for a NASA mission to verify satellite data using a high-altitude aircraft soaring 12 miles above Earth.

Military experience positions Iowa engineering student for success

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Serving in the U.S. Marines gave Arnold “Bill” Bangel III the focus he needed to pursue a PhD in industrial and systems engineering at the University of Iowa. Learning how to navigate a devastating loss gave him life perspective.

Iowa researchers studying aerosol data from International Space Station

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Jun Wang, University of Iowa professor and DEO of chemical and biochemical engineering, is leading a new NASA study to gain insights into the complex interactions between aerosols and climate, enabling scientists to better predict and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Wang wins 2024 Joanne Simpson Medal

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Jun Wang, University of Iowa’s Lichtenberger Family Chair in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, was awarded the 2024 Joanne Simpson Medal for mid-career scientists in recognition of significant contributions to Earth and space science.

ITI affiliates turns P3 seed funding into $9.4M in NASA grants

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

The University of Iowa’s P3 grant program has had a transformative impact on Earth observation research in the College of Engineering, leading to faculty hires, new graduate students, critical infrastructure, and nearly $10 million in recent NASA awards for Iowa Technology Institute affiliates Jun Wang and Matt McGill.

Iowa professor's innovation among Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2024

Friday, November 22, 2024

Yang Liu, University of Iowa associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and an ITI faculty affiliate, co-founded Unify Medical which released a digital loupe technology called Amplio to support image-guided surgical procedures. Amplio made Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2024.

ITI faculty affiliate Song honored as 'rising star' by ASME

Friday, November 22, 2024

University of Iowa engineering professors Xuan Song and Caterina Lamuta have gained acclaim in their fields for research contributions. Song is an ITI faculty affiliate.

ITI affiliate developing ‘game-changing’ laser that could benefit national security and health care

Monday, November 18, 2024

A new Department of Energy grant will support a University of Iowa engineering professor developing a high-powered laser with benefits ranging from national security to health care diagnostics.

Iowa professors developing AI camera to detect physical abuse

Thursday, October 31, 2024

University of Iowa professors in engineering and social work are inventing a camera that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and physics to detect real-time abuse of vulnerable people, such as children or the elderly.

U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and UI's Operator Performance Laboratory partner to prepare future test leaders, conduct autonomy research

Thursday, October 17, 2024

The United States Air Force Test Pilot School, in collaboration with the Iowa Technology Institute's Operator Performance Laboratory, recently made advances in modernizing the student curriculum while providing critical data for continued research in machine learning.

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