Programs

CATS Industrial Advisory Board Current CATS Industrial Partners How CATS works with Faculty

Working with CATS

Founded in 1988, the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS) has a long history of working with industry in programs encompassing basic research through manufacturing system design and pilot line development.  Our unique combination of leading research, excellence in theory and analysis, practical design and process implementation has paid off for numerous industrial partners.

The CATS provides an effective interface to leverage a broad range of research resources in automation at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with highly trained technical staff to provide project management that matches industrial requirements and schedules. 

We also recognize the importance of intellectual property agreements in research programs and endeavor to craft appropriate arrangements to suit the needs of our sponsors. 

Our experience and track record in SBIR, STTR and other funding programs makes us an effective partner in securing extramural research dollars with our industrial colleagues.

Industrial partners also gain early access to results, information on related developments, and introduction to highly trained students. 

In addition, through Rensselaer’s unique Multidisciplinary Design Laboratory, the CATS facilitates industrially-relevant undergraduate capstone projects having special intellectual property arrangements for industrial sponsors.

There are many mechanisms to work with CATS and take advantage of our expertise and services:

• Technical consultation, feasibility study, exploratory research
• Contract research with professional project management
• Identification of and connection with RPI faculty with appropriate expertise
• Collaborative research for process improvement or product development
• Joint proposals to State (e.g., NYSERDA) and Federal Agencies (e.g., through SBIR/STTR or BAA)
• Identification of funding opportunities and proposal assitance
• Connection with other NYSTAR organizations (e.g., Center for Economic Growth, Syracuse Science & Technology Law Center)
• Fellowships for students and faculty
• Equipment donations for training and demonstration
• Multidisciplinary Design Laboratory
• Participation in CATS Seminar series
• Entrepreneurial assistance
• Participation or joint/branded short courses and workshops
• Technologies available for licensing

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CATS Industrial Advisory Board

Alex Cable, President, Thorlabs
Andy Cohn, Director of Program Management and Technical Support, Anorad Corp.
Gordon Calundann, CTO, BASF Fuel Cell
John Evans, consultant in robotics and automation to government and industry
Jeff Lawrence, Executive Vice President, Technology, Center for Economic Growth
John M. Papazian, Technical Fellow, Northrop Grumman
Miriam Pye, Senior Project Manager, Industrial Research, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Hugh Quigley, President, DynaBil Industries Inc. (Chair of IAB)
Dan Sexton, Program Manager, GE Global Research
Jim Smith, Assistant VP for Economic Growth, SUNY Stony Brook
Mark Unrath, Senior Research Engineer, Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
Tony Wilson, Director of Quality Systems, Albany International

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Current CATS Industrial Partners

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How CATS works with faculty

For RPI faculty interested in exploring collaboration with the CATS, please contact CATS Director John Wen (x6156 and wenj at rpi.edu).

Download Project Information Sheet with CATS designated as the submission center.

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