AUSTIN, Texas — Emerson and The University of Texas at Austin have entered a three-year partnership to advance research in artificial intelligence, automation, energy, semiconductors, and other scientific fields. This collaboration involves upgrading research labs at UT facilities and launching a new Semiconductor Science and Engineering master’s degree program in partnership with the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE). UT will serve as a core research partner for Emerson as it explores further into these areas.
Roger Bonnecaze, dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering, commented on the longstanding relationship: “Emerson has been an important partner for UT, the Cockrell School of Engineering and our chemical engineering department for decades. This investment will strengthen our relationship, further elevate Austin as a national technology leader, and push the boundaries of research, innovation and education in semiconductors, energy, AI, automation and more.”
The agreement is valued at $8.5 million. Emerson's contributions to UT now exceed $20 million. These funds have primarily supported the Cockrell School of Engineering and its McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering.
Lal Karsanbhai, president and CEO of Emerson stated: “This is an exciting new chapter in Emerson’s storied history with The University of Texas at Austin as we build on our vision to accelerate automation and innovation that transforms vital industries. As a company founded on science, engineering and technology, we look forward to working with UT to help prepare tomorrow’s workforce to solve the world’s toughest challenges.”
In line with advancing semiconductor efforts at UT, Emerson plans to donate technology and equipment to modernize the Montopolis Research Center. This facility is part of an $840 million partnership with DARPA aimed at enhancing semiconductor research. The upgrades include replacing outdated supervisory control systems to improve data acquisition capabilities.
Furthermore, Emerson will fund the first three cohorts enrolled in the new 18-month Semiconductor Science and Engineering master’s program starting this fall. They also plan to upgrade facilities like the Process Science and Technology Center on J.J. Pickle Research Campus while initiating a three-year collaboration focused on AI-enabled automation research.
Emerson's investment extends to supporting construction projects such as the Engineering Discovery Building (EDB) set to open in 2026 on UT's main campus. It will house key departments including McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering alongside Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering featuring signature labs by Emerson offering critical learning environments annually engaging thousands students across various disciplines within university premises along CCIMS initiatives aligning them towards addressing real-world problems through innovative solutions from industrial tech leaders like themselves.