Research Centers and Facilities
Aerospace Center
The Aerospace Center has expanded beyond its initial research focus when it was founded in 2009 as the Center for Space Exploration Technology Research. In partnership with NASA, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and many industry partners, this premiere, minority-serving research center explores new technologies and challenges in space, aeronautics, defense, and energy using digital tools and skills that are transforming the way we design, build and test. The Aerospace Center has grown from a 3,000 square foot lab employing 30 students as research assistants to over 35,000 square feet in laboratory space and 8,000 acres of test facilities employing 200 students today and still growing. The Aerospace Center’s mission is to educate and prepare a diverse, future-ready workforce for high-paying, in-demand careers through project-based learning in applied, cutting-edge research in aerospace, defense, and energy.
Center for the Advancement of Space Safety and Mission Assurance Research (CASSMAR)
Serve as an interdisciplinary, cross-functional research center focused on the enhancement of the safety, reliability and mission assurance of spaceflight - from the materials, vehicle and systems perspectives. Establish partnerships with government and commercial spaceflight organizations to identify knowledge gaps, support technical interchange of research advancements and share experiences from lessons-learned. Educate the next generation of competent, diverse, and enthusiastic space scientists and engineers through advanced research and collaboration
Center for Inland Desalination Systems (CIDS)
CIDS builds on a strong foundation of related research already being done by faculty members in geological sciences, chemistry and civil engineering. CIDS funding is currently a combination of a $2 million grant from the state of Texas through its Emerging Technology Fund, $2 million from The University of Texas System, and matching funds raised by UTEP (goal is $2 million in sponsored research from industry partners).
Center for Research in Engineering and Technology Education (CREaTE)
CREaTE promotes and celebrates research that improves our understanding of student learning and excellence in teaching. We value growth, professionalism and excellence. Engineering faculty and instructors find support here for instructional design, development, evaluation and scholarship of teaching.
Center for Structural and Functional Materials Research and Innovation
The mandate of the Center for Structural and Functional Materials Research and Innovation is to foster interaction between diverse disciplines and support materials-related activities involving metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites in an interdisciplinary fashion across the broad research community. The objective is to enable students, faculty, and industrial partners to link interdisciplinary expertise with shared facilities and trained staff to advance multidisciplinary research at the cutting edge of science and technology for the benefit of society. Interdisciplinary research nurtures the talent of students for scholarly and professional careers, such that they are exposed to a broad experience, not a byproduct of immersion in an intensive research experience, but with interdisciplinary thinking and practice. The Center seeks to integrate the four elements of the central paradigm of materials research: structure, process, property, and performance.
Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CTIS)
It is with pleasure to announce the formation of the Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CTIS) at UTEP. The focus of CTIS, which supplants the Center for Highway Materials Research, is to coordinate basic and applied research related to the nation's transportation infrastructure at UTEP. One of the missions of this new Center is to directly support the new PhD in Civil Engineering with focus in Infrastructure Systems.
The Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce
The Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce sponsors, conducts and promotes three main avenues of research: research in innovation and commerce, research for commercialization of innovation, and research in entrepreneurship education. The Center was founded in 2012 through generous contributions from UTEP alumnus Mike Loya. The Center connects the College of Business Administration and the College of Engineering. The Center is part of a UTEP and El Paso ecosystem to support innovation and commerce.
Research Institute for Manufacturing and Engineering Systems (RIMES)
RIMES was created in 1995 as the Institute for Manufacturing and Materials Management. We have recently renamed the Institute and it has taken the lead in focusing on the research and applications of Systems Engineering.
W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation
Located at the University of Texas at El Paso, The Keck Center is home to state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing technology and a dedicated staff ready for any challenge, be it medical or mechanical. From surgical models to tissue engineering to product prototypes, the Keck Center is ready to transform your ideas into three dimensions.
