CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia Tech
and UTC Aerospace Systems (UTAS) today announced a comprehensive
research and education agreement that will focus on two areas of
vital interest to UTAS and the aerospace industry: secure aircraft
wireless networking and power electronics. UTAS will invest
$1 million over five years to
help fund a master research agreement, as well as student
scholarships, capstone projects and competitions in these areas.
UTAS is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
As part of the agreement, UTAS will collaborate with the
university's Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and
Technology, Wireless@VT, the Center for Energy Harvesting Materials
and Systems and the Center for Power Electronics Systems. The
collaboration reflects a growing relationship between UTAS and
Virginia Tech, and follows a 2015
donation of $100,000 from the company
to support similar scholarships and experiential learning
opportunities in the university's College of Engineering.
"We are excited to collaborate with one of the world's leading
suppliers of aerospace and defense products," said Virginia Tech Vice President for Research and
Innovation Theresa Mayer. "We have
promising joint research underway. This master research agreement
sets forth an efficient process to foster additional
collaboration."
Virginia Tech's agreement with UTAS
comes amid a push by the Commonwealth's leading research university
to deepen its relationships with industry. Virginia Tech recently announced the creation of a
business engagement center to help advance this goal.
"Our collaboration with Virginia
Tech will help us execute against two of our company's most
important objectives—developing the most advanced technologies in
the world and training the next generation of engineers," said UTAS
Vice President of Engineering & Technology Geoff Hunt. "With its leading capabilities in
wireless systems and power electronics, and its proximity to key
federal agencies, the university is uniquely positioned to help us
achieve these goals."
"We appreciate UTC Aerospace Systems' generosity and
engagement," said College of Engineering Interim Dean G. Don
Taylor, the Charles O. Gordon Professor of Industrial and Systems
Engineering. "Industry relationships enhance the education we
provide. They enable us to be a valuable pipeline of talent to
leading companies. They help fuel our research — and increase the
likelihood that discoveries will be applied."
About UTC Aerospace Systems
UTC Aerospace Systems is one of the world's largest suppliers of
technologically advanced aerospace and defense products. UTC
Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated
systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries,
supporting a global customer base with significant worldwide
manufacturing and customer service facilities. For more information
about the company, visit our website at www.utcaerospacesystems.com
or follow us on Twitter: @utcaerosystems
About United Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides
high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace
industries. By combining a passion for science with precision
engineering, the company is creating smart, sustainable solutions
the world needs. For more information about the company, visit our
website at www.utc.com or follow us on Twitter: @UTC
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SOURCE UTC Aerospace Systems