The Marketing Minute: Marketing With Layers
The Right Approach: Electro-Tek—A Williams Family Legacy, Part 1
It’s Only Common Sense: If You’re Not Differentiated, You’re Dead
AI, Robots, Data Software Helping Create New Approach for Planning Cities of the Future
June 20, 2019 | Purdue UniversityEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Artificial intelligence and robots are playing significant roles as planners develop the cities of the future. The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is facing a major shift in balancing the massive amounts of data available through advanced technologies.
The system they use, called building information modeling (BIM), takes all the data points and information to develop plans at all stages of construction—from planning to maintenance to demolition. Purdue University researchers have come up with a novel way to approach the data, simplify the BIM software and help in creating future city layouts.
The Purdue team created a new method for better understanding and using industry foundation classes (IFC), which is the term given to the data used to create the BIM software.
“It normally requires a large amount of effort when manually interpreting IFC data due to its large number of entities and the complex connections between one entity and another,” said Jiansong Zhang, an assistant professor in Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute, who leads the research team. “Our technology helps BIM software developers create IFC-based solutions for any task in the life cycle of an AEC project.”
Zhang said the new technology allows for full software development based on IFC data. “We created a visualization algorithm and implemented it based on the new method we developed,” said Zhang, who also leads Purdue’s Automation and Intelligent Construction Lab. “The new method can help eliminate missing or inconsistent information during software development.”
The data covers all sectors, functions and life cycle phases of software development for construction projects.
Zhang and his team are working with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization on patenting and licensing the technology. They are looking for partners interested in licensing it.
The work aligns with Purdue's Giant Leaps celebration of the university’s global advancements made in artificial intelligence as part of Purdue’s 150th anniversary. It is one of the four themes of the yearlong celebration’s Ideas Festival, designed to showcase Purdue as an intellectual center solving real-world issues.
About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization
The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2016 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Innovation from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. For more information on licensing a Purdue innovation, contact the Office of Technology Commercialization at otcip@prf.org. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org.The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
SAMI Advanced Electronics Company Launches “Remal” Computer Manufacturing Project in Partnership with HP and Foxconn
10/15/2025 | SAMI-AECSAMI Advanced Electronics Company (SAMI-AEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), proudly announced the launch of the “Remal” project for computer manufacturing, in strategic partnership with HP and Foxconn.
The Right Approach: Electro-Tek—A Williams Family Legacy, Part 1
10/15/2025 | Steve Williams -- Column: The Right ApproachThere is no bronze bust in the lobby or portrait in the conference room of Electro-Tek's founder—my Dad, Charles “Chuck” Williams—so with the facility closing last year after 56 years, I feel it is time to tell the story. Chuck Williams founded Electro-Tek in 1968 in our basement, eventually moving into the second floor of an old 1913 building in downtown Milwaukee that is still standing (the first of three eventual facilities).
LPKF Joins productronica’s 50th Anniversary, Showcasing Laser Technology for Electronics Manufacturing
10/10/2025 | LPKF Laser & ElectronicsLPKF Laser & Electronics invites visitors to productronica 2025 in Munich from November 18 to 21. At booth 305 in hall B2, the company will present its portfolio of modern laser technologies for the electronics industry live – from prototyping systems and high-performance depaneling to laser plastic welding for electronic housings and thin glass processing for advanced packaging.
Marco Pieters Appointed ASML Chief Technology Officer
10/09/2025 | ASMLASML Holding NV (ASML) announced the appointment of Marco Pieters as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer, Christophe Fouquet.
Advanced Rework Technology Inspires Students at National Manufacturing Day 2025
10/08/2025 | A.R.T. Ltd.Advanced Rework Technology Ltd. (A.R.T.), a leading independent IPC-accredited training provider, joined forces with Jaltek, a UK-based electronics manufacturer with over 35 years’ experience in designing and producing high-quality electronic products, to deliver hands-on workshops for students during National Manufacturing Day 2025.