At present, more than 30 faculty members are involved in energy and sustainability research and education from different colleges and institutes at IIT. Our plan includes attracting additional internationally recognized senior faculty members and several assistant professors in energy related areas to IIT by 2010.

We have identified the following faculty groups to develop collaborative research and educational programs in the following areas:

• clean energy technology including: biofuels, clean coal technology and methane hydrates
• solar energy/hydrogen storage and fuel cells
• energy efficiency and conservation including: hybrid systems, optimum energy conversion and energy savings in buildings
• power and power distribution, and small hydro
• House of the Future and sustainable buildings
• environmental systems and sustainable operation including IIT campus sustainability
• recycling
• educational degree and certificate programs

One of our main goals is to promote a spirit of entrepreneurship among students and faculty to develop and commercialize advanced sustainable technologies.

Our educational activities include developing new certificate and degree programs in the area of energy and sustainability, and exploring the possibility of launching outreach programs and a Sustainability Across the Curriculum program.