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