Welcome to the website for the Life Support and Sustainable Living (LSSL) Program. We are dedicated to research and present creative technological solutions to environmental, medical and space exploration applications. Our solutions aim to encourage the reuse of materials, thus minimizing the use of scarce resources, to preserve and enhance life.

Along with the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, the LSSL Program and The Engineering Challenge for the 21st Century Program are part of the Connecticut College of Technology.  The LSSL Program focuses on mechanical engineering technology with applications in aerospace, aeronautics and bio-mechanics using real-world, industry-driven projects such as the development of a sleep apnea monitor for pre-mature infants, space-suit design modifications, portable natural disaster/emergency room pods and alternative energy initiatives.  

What enables the LSSL Program to excel is that it integrates professional skills such as leadership, team building, problem solving, project planning and hands-on engineering experience with the technical skills provided by higher education institutions.  These skills, coupled with Problem Case-Based Learning (PCBL), are utilized in conjunction with the real-world, industry-driven projects to better prepare students to meet the demands/challenges of the highly competitive global workforce.

In order to ensure augmentation through the next century, Connecticut industry must address the large percentage of the "baby boomers" that are at, or nearing, the age of retirement, coupled with the anticipated personnel increases required for new product(s) development and sales fluctuations.  The panoramic effects of this quandary create  a formula requiring industry and education to join forces, thereby increasing the number of prospective recruits to facilitate meeting the growing demand.  These individuals must be adequately prepared with knowledge and skills to address the anticipated increase(s) in staffing needs.

The LSSL Program constructs efficiently functioning teams by combining community college and university students.  These teams, nourished by experienced faculty and industry representatives, actively pursue possible resolution(s) to any number of industry-driven scenarios.

Significant in-kind support is provided by our higher education partners Manchester Community College (MCC), Tunxis Community College (TXCC), University of Hartford and Central Connecticut State University (CCSU).

Support for our work is provided by industry, the National Science Foundation (Grants ATE 0402494 and ATE 0703170) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Click here to learn more about WHO WE ARE.