Rensselaer has a broad, collaborative, and vibrant research community that is focused on the growing interface of the basic sciences and engineering. This provides the basis for innovative solutions to today’s Global Challenges, including: mitigating disease; providing clean food and water; developing new sources of clean and renewable energy; and establishing a sustainable and resilient national and international infrastructure.
![High resolution image of a brain scan on a computer screen](https://research.rpi.edu/sites/default/files/2020-11/brain-scan.jpg)
Biotechnology and the Life Sciences
Focuses on new routes to drug discovery and development, and understanding the fundamental mechanisms of disease, from Alzheimer’s and diabetes to cancer.
![Graphic showing all the areas that AI can assist in research](https://research.rpi.edu/sites/default/files/2020-11/data.jpg)
Computational Science and Engineering
Focuses on high-performance computing, neuromorphic and quantum computing, big data, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, which supports research and innovation across a broad front.
![Researcher from the Rensselaer Center for Future Energy Systems (CFES) in front of monitors](https://research.rpi.edu/sites/default/files/2020-11/energy.jpg)
Energy, Environment, and Smart Systems
Focuses on renewable technologies, energy efficiency, and the understanding of global environmental change to preserve the biodiversity of the planet.
![3-D printed objects on light table](https://research.rpi.edu/sites/default/files/2020-11/art-media.jpg)
Media, Arts, Science, and Technology
Focuses on facilitating new approaches to networking, advanced visualization, sensor design, haptics, and multiscale modeling and simulation, which are supported by the core capabilities of EMPAC.
![Lithium-ion battery](https://research.rpi.edu/sites/default/files/2020-11/advanced-materials.jpg)
Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials
Focuses on developing robust, affordable, and sustainable methods for manufacturing new functional hybrid materials, and the hierarchical systems and products based upon them.