The University of Arizona produces research and innovation that is changing the world.
The University of Arizona produces research and innovation that is changing the world.
COP28: The 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
November 30th to December 12th, 2023
University of Arizona expertise, specialized facilities, data modeling capabilities, and place-driven research make Arizona the best lab in the world to study the nexus of food, water, and energy. We conduct experiments today that will uncover what the Earth—and beyond—will look like tomorrow and how we can become more resilient along the way.
Read more about our innovation-focused research.
Biosphere 2
An ecological laboratory like no other, the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 allows researchers to advance our understanding of ecosystems, their natural processes, and how human activity impacts them. The unique facility includes five biomes, including a 700,000-gallon ocean and rainforest, where researchers conduct experiments and create solutions to the challenges presented by global climate change.
Center for Quantum Networks
The Center for Quantum Networks brings together 150 researchers across 10 American universities and 12 corporate partners to take on one of the great engineering challenges of the 21st century: laying the technical and social foundations of the quantum Internet. CQN operates one of the most advanced quantum network demonstrations in the world on the University of Arizona campus, connecting 10 laboratories in six buildings with a combination of optical fibers and free-space optics between rooftops.
Future of Agriculture and Food Production in a Drying Climate
As a rapidly drying climate threatens food and agriculture systems around the globe, the University of Arizona is identifying the most innovative solutions to produce more food using less water. Drawing from experts across the University, and from the agriculture, food production, and water industries throughout the state and beyond, we are taking concrete steps to make Arizona a global leader in creating and applying transformational technologies and climate-resilient sustainable agricultural and food production practices.
James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. It follows in the footsteps of the Hubble Space Telescope as the next great space science observatory, designed to answer outstanding questions about the Universe and to make breakthrough discoveries in all fields of astronomy. The University of Arizona is the only university to have participated in four major NASA infrared astronomy space projects, the latest being the Webb.
Laboratory of Tree Ring Research
The University of Arizona’s Laboratory of Tree Ring Research is one of the preeminent centers of dendrochronology worldwide, using the information stored in the annual rings of trees to understand and quantify interactions among our climate, ecosystems, and societies. The LTRR excels in developing and advancing novel approaches to solve scientific questions of societal relevance.
Lunar and Planetary Lab
Home to numerous NASA missions, including OSIRIS-REx and the Phoenix Mars Lander, the University of Arizona’s Lunar & Planetary Laboratory has supported a diverse mix of planetary science research since the 1960s and played a pivotal role in solidifying UArizona’s position as a national leader in space science, ranking first among all public universities for space-related research and development expenditures for the 33rd year in a row.
Mirror Lab
The University of Arizona’s Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory manufactures giant, lightweight mirrors that support leading-edge astronomical discoveries. The lab cast all seven mirrors for the Giant Magellan Telescope, which will produce images up to 10 times sharper than those of the Hubble Space Telescope, enabling astronomers to study the depths of the universe with more clarity and sensitivity than ever before.
New Frontiers of Sound
The $30M University of Arizona-led National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center, New Frontiers of Sound, brings together researchers from many partner institutions using topological acoustics to see and exploit properties of sound that were not previously visible. Having such a precise level of control over soundwaves could revolutionize areas including computing, telecommunications, and sensing. Applications include quantum-like computing speeds, improved battery life for electronics, and sensing changes in aging infrastructure or the natural environment due to climate change.
OSIRIS-REx
The University of Arizona-led NASA mission OSIRIS-REx marked a historic success for the United States when it successfully returned a sample of rubble from the surface of the near-Earth asteroid Bennu in September of this year. NASA has now extended the mission, dubbed OSIRIS-APEX, to study Apophis, another near-Earth asteroid slated to have a close encounter with Earth in 2029.
Phoenix Mars Lander
The University of Arizona-led NASA mission, Phoenix Mars Lander, successfully studied the history of water on Mars and the planet’s local habitability. Remaining operational months after accomplishing its goals, the lander was the first NASA mission to Mars led by a public university.
Steward Observatory
The University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory provides direct access to various world-class facilities for ground-based radio and optical observing. Among these are the largest aperture optical telescope, the Large Binocular Telescope, and the Near InfraRed Camera (NIRCam), developed by UArizona astronomers to enable NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to capture unprecedented images of the earliest stars and galaxies in the process of formation.
Related University of Arizona strength areas
These links provide a deeper look into ways the University of Arizona is a leader in areas critical to understanding and addressing climate change.
University of Arizona startups addressing energy and climate change Issues:
AlgaeCell: Photobioreactors used to produce a variety of cell cultures including algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, bacteria, viruses plant cells or tissues. The bioreactor has advantages over current technology by offering a low-cost and high-volume production mechanism for microorganism growth.
Auxilium Technology Group: Unlocking valuable mining resources using sustainable solutions and minimizing the negative environmental impacts.
CarbeniumTec: Organic-based redox flow battery technology for large scale, long duration energy storage.
Clean Earth Tech: Biocompatible material for dust control.
Clean Resources: 3-ingredient concrete replacement using waste fly-ash. Product is lighter, stronger, and less expensive to produce than concrete.
Fontana Systems: Leverages energy cost data, utility rates and future weather probabilities to put homeowners in control of heating and cooling usage and costs with patented behavioral learning algorithm.
GenetiRate: Improved aquaculture with technology that selects fish and shellfish that grow more quickly and have improved feed efficiency.
MetOxs Electrochemicals: Using molten salts to extract metal and store energy involved in refining and smelting.
Metropia: High-performance and mobile computing technologies to help commuters and cities function more efficiently.
SolarSpace: The next generation of concentrated solar power technology.
News
Work has begun on the plan that will get the University to carbon-neutral by 2040
April 18, 2023
Efforts are underway to wean the University of Arizona off fossil fuels and go carbon-neutral by 2040 – perhaps even sooner. As a first step toward that goal, the Office of Sustainability is leading the development of the University's first Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.
Resource Library
Marketing materials designed to showcase University of Arizona strengths
A selection from RII's latest publication, Data Connects Us, these seven stories focus on the environment.
AIR's giving priorities include expanding research capacity, enhancing experiential learning, and advancing sustainable water management.
Learn more about these priorities.
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Biosphere 2's 5-year Strategic Plan is built on five pillars:
- Sustainability Research
- Resilience Solutions
- Tomorrow’s Leaders
- International Networks
- Arid Lands
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The University of Arizona Biosphere 2 Industry Affiliates Program offers unique collaboration opportunities for both the UArizona and its industry partners, including the potential for research testbeds for rapidly advancing prototype and product development.
Learn about the benefits of membership.
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The Biosphere 2 Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) Summer Program allows students to gain experience in research firsthand, training and preparation for careers in science, and opportunities to communicate science to diverse audiences.
Learn more about this transformational program.
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Concentrating Sunlight to Make Clean Fuels Using Shape-Adjusting Heliostats
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Concentrating Sunlight to Make Clean Fuels Design and operation of Heliostats with Shape-adjustable mirrors
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University of Arizona Units Represented at COP28
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