System of Systems: an Introduction of Purdue University Schools of Engineering’s Signature Area

In August of 2002, the Schools of Engineering at Purdue University began an effort to identify “signature areas” as part of the commitment to reinforce the Schools’ standing as a preeminent academic engineering institution. The University administration has allocated 75 new faculty positions, above the current number of engineering faculty, to pursue highly relevant, multidisciplinary activities in discovery, learning and engagement. During the Spring 2003 semester, signature areas were identified based upon proposals submitted by engineering faculty members. The eight selected areas are: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Global Sustainable Industrial Systems, Information, Communication and Perception Technologies, Intelligent Infrastructure Systems, Nanotechnologies and Nanophotonics, Renewable Energy and Power Systems, Tissue and Cellular Engineering, and System of Systems. Academic planning, multidisciplinary collaborations, and faculty searches for these eight areas began during May of 2003.