Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has been awarded two Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) grants from NYSTAR, the Division of Science, Technology and Innovation within Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s chief economic development agency. The awards include funding to launch the new Center for Smart Convergent Manufacturing Systems (CSCMS) and to renew support for RPI’s long-established Center for Future Energy Systems (CFES). 

The newly established CSCMS CAT will receive $9.5 million over 10 years to advance next-generation automation and smart manufacturing technologies, strengthening high-value production sectors across New York State. In parallel, the CFES CAT will receive $10 million over the same period to continue its mission of developing innovative, sustainable, and resilient energy systems that align with the state’s clean energy goals while enhancing economic competitiveness. 

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “NYSTAR’s Centers for Advanced Technology are vital to our strategic efforts to grow New York’s economy and the state’s greater innovation ecosystem. By investing in the industries of tomorrow, New Yorkers benefit today through dynamic partnerships that help to create new jobs, generate more revenues, and encourage more companies to establish a footprint in communities all throughout the state.” 

CSCMS will advance New York’s manufacturing industries by focusing on five key areas: (1) designing sensor-rich, integrated systems to enhance robotics and material processing; (2) developing human-robot collaboration tools for safer, more efficient workplaces; (3) creating platforms for distributed sensing and robust decision-making; (4) leveraging AI, machine learning, and digital twins for predictive diagnostics; and (5) ensuring privacy and cybersecurity while enabling data-sharing across manufacturers. By leveraging RPI’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, CSCMS will accelerate commercialization and foster partnerships with New York businesses. 

Johnson Samuel, director of the CSCMS and professor of mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering at RPI, emphasized the center’s mission to deliver real-world impact: 

“New York’s manufacturing industries are evolving rapidly, and CSCMS is designed to help them meet the moment,” said Samuel. “Our focus is not just on developing smart technologies, but on building convergent systems that integrate robotics, data, and human decision-making in transformative ways. With this support from NYSTAR, we will accelerate the deployment of intelligent manufacturing solutions that are scalable, secure, and uniquely responsive to the needs of New York’s economy.” 

CFES will continue to drive the future of clean energy through cutting-edge research in renewable energy, energy storage, energy efficiency, and advanced grid control. By pairing world-class faculty and facilities with industry and government partners, CFES helps move technologies from the lab to the marketplace while offering applied research, funding opportunity guidance, technology transfer, and business resources for startups. The Center also provides education and workforce development programs, supporting New York’s clean energy ecosystem through conferences, training, and outreach statewide. 

Jian Sun, director of the CFES and professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering at RPI, highlighted the center’s role in advancing energy innovation across the state: 

“CFES is proud of having supported the NYS energy industry for more than 20 years,” said Sun. “For the next decade, CFES will target decarbonization as the overarching goal to support the state’s ambitious Climate Action Plan and turn the energy transition into economic opportunities. By leveraging the breadth and depth of RPI faculty expertise, CFES will help to achieve this goal through research, industry collaboration and education in three areas that together will enable decarbonization: (1) clean electricity; (2) electrification; and (3) hydrogen and electrochemical energy conversion.” 

NYSTAR funds 15 Centers for Advanced Technology across New York State to foster collaboration between private industry and universities in the development and application of emerging technologies. The CAT program facilitates applied research, development, and technology transfer, in partnership with industry, to drive economic growth and technological advancement. From July 2022 through June 2023, New York’s CATs generated $395 million in economic impact, supported the creation or retention of nearly 500 jobs, and served more than 400 companies statewide. 

These awards will allow RPI to further strengthen its leadership in advanced manufacturing and energy research. Among the institute’s many efforts in these areas is the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS), where RPI faculty, students, and industry collaborators conduct applied research in intelligent robotics, control systems, and cyber-physical technologies. By helping move automation innovations from the lab into practice, CATS reflects RPI’s broader commitment to impactful, translational research. The establishment of the Center for Smart Convergent Manufacturing Systems (CSCMS) and the continued support for the Center for Future Energy Systems (CFES) will build upon this foundation, expanding opportunities for discovery, commercialization, and economic growth across New York State. 

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About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 

Founded in 1824 for the application of science to the common purposes of life, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the first technological research university in the United States. Today, it is recognized as a premier university, noted for its robust and holistic learning community that connects creativity with science and technology. RPI is dedicated to inventing for the future, from shaping the scientists, engineers, technologists, architects, financiers, managers, and entrepreneurs who will define what’s next for humanity, to research that bridges disciplines to solve the world's toughest problems. Learn more at rpi.edu. 

About Empire State Development 

 Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X. 

About ESD’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) 

Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation – known as NYSTAR – advances technology innovation and commercialization in New York State. NYSTAR offers programs that assist companies from start-up through maturity, leveraging the state’s unparalleled investment in world-class technology assets and expertise. It provides about $80 million annually in funding to support over 80 centers that provide direct assistance to New York State companies — a network of vital assets for enabling technology — and manufacturing-led growth and job creation. NYSTAR and its partners are proud to contribute to New York’s leadership in the global innovation economy. For more information, visit esd.ny.gov/nystar.