From demand response to solar energy to highway congestion GPS devices, the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) has been a focal point of California academia to address social and environmental issues.

The center unites four University of California campuses to create information technology solutions, and thanks to a donation of more than $20 million by Marvell Technology Group, a Santa Clara, Calif.-based semiconductor company, the center recently completed construction of its new headquarters at the Berkeley campus. The new building, named Sutardja Dai Hall, opened February 27 and houses nearly 300 researchers who are at the forefront of information, biological and nano technologies.

Current research projects range from zero-emission data centers to solar energy for heat, light and power. One application I’d like to see become widespread is the demand response project that involves the development of thermostats that homeowners can program to automatically lower their power consumption during times of peak energy demand. These devices could eliminate the need to build five new power plants, which could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 9 million tons a year and save Californians $10 billion – which is much needed in this economic climate.

Another interesting project includes “Mobile Millennium,” a project that uses GPS-enabled cell phones to help monitor congestion on side roads and highways so drivers can lower their commute time and decrease their fuel usage. In fact, researchers estimate that if 3,000 drivers shave 30 hours a year from their commute time, the project will have prevented the waste of more than 70,000 gallons of fuel.

For scientists on the go, the center’s “CellScope” project turns cell phones into compact, high-resolution handheld microscopes that can capture, organize and wirelessly transmit images for analysis. This would greatly impact healthcare providers worldwide who work on diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and sickle cell disease.

When it comes to innovation and research, universities are almost always among the top leaders and CITRIS is no exception. And given its San Francisco Bay Area location, if the researchers aren’t already working with local business owners, inventors and entrepreneurs, you can safely bet that they’re paving the way for the inspiration for and formation of future technologies and businesses.