Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing holds Grand Opening

From CCAM news:  The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) near Richmond, Va., today unveiled its new 62,000 square foot research facility during a grand opening event.   “The new CCAM manufacturing research center represents the expertise and passion of our industry members and university partners,” said Dr. Mike Beffel, CCAM Interim President and Executive Director. “With the goal of bridging the gap between leading edge research and product development, CCAM is at the forefront of new manufacturing processes.”

CCAM is a public–private collaborative research center that undertakes research critical to the surface technology and advanced manufacturing industries. The Prince George County, Va., facility was completed in late 2012 and features computational and engineering research labs, high bay production space for commercial scale equipment, and tools required for research in surface engineering and manufacturing systems.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, who has helped further CCAM’s research and manufacturing goals, said, “Today’s opening of the CCAM research facility marks a pivotal moment for America’s global competitiveness. Companies that take the important step to join the CCAM research center in the Commonwealth of Virginia become partners of a one-of-a-kind asset in the U.S.—one that drives competitive advantage in the rapidly-transforming advanced manufacturing segment of our nation’s economy. The innovations produced at CCAM are cutting-edge, and the new facility will further Virginia as a hub for advanced manufacturing technology and high-skill jobs in the 21st century.”

Research is currently under way in the areas of surface engineering and new manufacturing systems. Approximately 50 student interns from Virginia’s participating universities – Virginia State University, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech – will work alongside industry experts in several research areas at the new facility and in labs around the state.

CCAM industry members include Canon Virginia Inc., Chromalloy, Newport News Shipbuilding, Rolls-Royce, Sandvik, Siemens, Sulzer Metco, Aerojet, Hermle Machine Company, Mitutoyo, TurboCombustor Technology Inc., Buehler, Cool Clean Technologies, GF AgieCharmilles, and Blaser Swisslube. University members include Virginia State University, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The CCAM facility is located adjacent to the 1,000-acre campus of the Rolls-Royce engine component manufacturing facilities, Rolls-Royce Crosspointe.


by Cathy Gedvilas on the CCAM new: http://www.ccam-va.com/news/

ARCS Foundation awards Luk-Kun Tsui additional scholarship

Luk-kun Tsui, advised by Giovanni Zangari, recently earned a second ARCS Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) scholarship.  ARCS, through these awards, aids in maintaining the scientific and technological edge of the United States and supports STEM field candidates working in areas of global impact.

Luk-kun's research seeks to advance utilization of TiO2 nanotubes to harness ultraviolet energy for photoelectric hydrolysis.  The potential implications of his research could lower the cost of harnessing solar energy, a key infrastructural concern.  This award is the second for Luk-Kun from ARCS the foundation.






From the ARCS website:

ARCS Foundation Metropolitan Washington Chapter (MWC), located in the Nation’s seat of government, is surrounded by our country’s largest defense, technology and research companies. It leverages an unparalleled opportunity to influence and respond to the National STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - agenda.

Founded in 1968 by women from the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland, MWC is an integral part of a national organization committed to supporting the ARCS Foundation mission of advancing science and technology in the United States by providing financial awards to academically outstanding United States citizens studying to complete degrees in STEM fields.

NACE awards Mary Lin Lym and Cindy Shi book scholarships

NACE International announced the winners of the Book Scholarships for 2013: Mary Lyn Lim and Cindy
Shi. Only two awards were given out, and CESE students won both of them. Each will receive scholarships for $1,000 from the NACE foundation at the Corrosion 13' conference in 2013 in Orlando this March.  The NACE Foundation Book Scholarship:

"The NACE Foundation provides Book Scholarships to assist graduate students in the development of their corrosion libraries. This scholarship is given in the form of a credit to be used on-line in the NACE Bookstore"

Cindy Shi

Mary Lyn Lim giving a demonstration at 2012 Nanodays

Nanodays 2013: March 23, 2013

Jerry Floro put together a great Nano-days last year for the SEAS-wide open house which had over 650 visitors.  Part of a nationwide science effort, "NanoDays is a nationwide festival of educational programs about nanoscale science and engineering and its potential impact on the future." 

Ryan Comes selected as MRS Graduate Student Award finalist

Congratulations to Ryan Comes on being selected as a finalist for the Graduate Student Awards from the Materials Research Society for 2013 Spring meeting. During the MRS Spring Special Talk Sessions on April 2, selections for gold and silver levels will be made based on the presentations by award finalists.

According to MRS the awards:

Ryan Comes in the U.Va  Rotunda
presenting to President Sullivan

MRS Graduate Student Awards are intended to honor and encourage graduate students whose academic achievements and current materials research display a high level of excellence and distinction. MRS seeks to recognize students of exceptional ability who show promise for significant future achievement in materials research. Information regarding upcoming Graduate Student Awards is available below.

Ryan Comes is advised by Stu Wolf and conducting research in magnetic thin film  materials for electronic applications and next generation computing.