Research Centers and Programs have a dual mission of education as well as research and development. Emphasis is placed on the research process. Projects reflect faculty/student interests and industry needs. Equipment and facilities are up-to-date and appropriate to the task. Graduate students (except engineering management) are required to participate in thesis research and many find opportunities within the centers and programs outlined below or through individual faculty research interests.

Center for Applied Optics Studies

The Center for Applied Optics Studies serves as a high-technology resource service for business, industry and government. Every time you listen to music on a compact disc player, place a telephone call, printout a document on a laser printer, and have your groceries scanned at the checkout you are using optics. In a world where optical devices and components such as lasers and optical fibers are used in so many varied applications, optical technology is literally everywhere. The Center works to identify and implement new, practical uses for optics. A few of the Center's specialty areas include the design of optics-related products and instruments, non-destructive testing, vibration analysis, fiber optic component/system testing, biomedical instrumentation, surface roughness measurements, computer-aided optical system design, measurements using lasers, spectroscopic analysis, image enhancement, remote sensing, applications of photo-refractive materials, sensing devices and laser beam steering applications.

Lilly Applied Life Sciences Center

This Center was formed as an academic-industry partnership in May 1995 in response to the need for applying advanced new technologies from engineering and the biological sciences in developing tomorrow's effective and efficient health care solutions. The Center assists Rose-Hulman in providing more interdisciplinary opportunities for faculty and students to work together on state-of-the-art projects similar to activities occurring in life science-related industries. ALS Research Center goals are to introduce undergraduate students to biological and biomedical research; perform high-quality research to prepare graduate students for careers in biological and biomedical engineering; establish new contacts between Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and biomedical and health care industries; and perform high-quality research in cooperation with industry in order to provide solutions to problems requiring time or expertise not available to its permanent staff.

W. M. Keck Foundation Imaging Systems Laboratory

Imaging has numerous applications. For example, it is used to visualize experimental data; to non-invasively explore the human body (e.g. ultrasound, X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging); to measure and reconstruct 3D objects (e.g. buildings); to visually guide autonomous vehicles; and for entertainment (e.g. movies and games). The Imaging Systems Lab provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in all areas of imaging including computer graphics, computer vision, optical imaging and filtering, image processing, and pattern recognition. The laboratory's goals are to provide high quality opportunities for students to work on imaging projects; educate students in the various aspects of imaging; establish links between Rose-Hulman and companies that have a need for imaging-based solutions; and provide industry with solutions to imaging problems.

Technical Assistance & Services Center

In 1993 the Technical Assistance & Services Center (TASC) was established to provide technical assistance and services to business, industry and entrepreneurs. Over the years, TASC established a niche in new product development, producing prototype hardware and software for clients. In 2000 TASC operations became part of Rose-Hulman Ventures located at Aleph Park.

The TASC New Product Development Labs, TASC.NPD Labs, at Rose-Hulman Ventures continue to offer a multi-disciplinary approach to design, development, fabrication and testing of new product prototypes that can increase competitiveness and productivity of businesses. It uses a full-time staff of experienced engineers and scientists, in addition to drawing on the creativity of the young students and the expertise of the faculty of Rose-Hulman. TASC.NPD Labs can develop new products involving biomedical devices and instrumentation, optical design and instrumentation, e-commerce solutions, electro-mechanical systems, software, electronics, embedded processors etc..

Engenius Solutions

Engenius Solutions works with inventors and entrepreneurs from Rose-Hulman, Indiana and the Midwest to develop, design, commercialize and market new ideas and inventions. The program is run by four student managers that answer to a board of faculty and staff advisors. Engenius Solutions will nurture, support, and develop entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial spirit through project management and, if appropriate, commercialization of inventions originating from Rose-Hulman students, faculty and staff as well as outside inventors. Student development teams engineer product prototypes and market the products to companies and entrepreneurs in order to disseminate them into the market place. The program places a strong emphasis on the educational benefit to undergraduate and graduate engineering and management students.