Our Progress

Iowa State and its partners developed a data-sharing system that enables data-driven decisions to better serve young children and their families — an advance that has garnered national attention as a model for other states. Iowa State faculty lead I2D2, a highly secure, cross-program data-sharing system. With a team of ISU data experts working with seven state departments and Head Start programs, I2D2 has made possible successes that include improving early childhood services and opening substance use recovery centers in four Iowa cities. In a national report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services highlighted I2D2 as an example of a data sharing initiative for other local and state governments.

Thanks to trailblazing Iowa State research, Iowa was the first state to apply a new ultra-high performance concrete to bridge construction. The material, tested at ISU for nearly two decades, is significantly more durable than concrete and can extend a bridge’s life to 75 years and beyond. Now, Iowa State engineers are testing the use of sprayable or pumpable ultra-high performance concrete to potentially reduce bridge construction from months to days — and as a tool to repair and rehabilitate bridges. The researchers are collaborating with Iowa and California state transportation departments. The California partners are especially interested to learn from ISU how the concrete is able to withstand natural disasters.

When Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation for a Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, the chief proponent behind that special order was Iowa State staff member Debbie Roberts. Roberts, who self identifies as a congenital amputee, is one of an estimated 2 million Americans living with a limb loss or limb difference. Roberts has worked for years to raise awareness and improve understanding of limb loss and limb difference.

Iowa State engineers lead a team that’s developing cybersecurity systems that prevent, detect and mitigate attacks on renewable sources sending power to the grid. The U.S. Department of Energy, which has invested $2 million in the project, believes cutting-edge cybersecurity technology will keep the U.S. at the forefront of global innovation and protect America’s power grid in the face of increasing cyberthreats from abroad.