NMSU Awarded $7 Million NSF Grant for Distributed AM Research

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Have you heard about the impressive grant awarded to New Mexico State University (NMSU) for distributed additive manufacturing (AM) research? It’s an exciting development that’s poised to significantly advance both the academic and industrial landscapes in New Mexico. In this article, you’ll learn about the nuances of this remarkable grant, its objectives, and the influential individuals leading the project.

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Table of Contents

NMSU Secures $7 Million NSF Grant

A Significant Investment in AM Research

New Mexico State University (NMSU) has successfully secured a four-year, $7 million distributed additive manufacturing (AM) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This grant is part of the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Research Incubators for STEM Excellence (E-RISE RII) initiative. The aim is to catalyze research competitiveness in New Mexico, forge partnerships across academic and non-academic sectors, and generate workforce development opportunities.

The Principal Investigators and Their Team

Leading this ambitious project is Satyajayant ‘Jay’ Misra, Principal Investigator and Associate Dean of Research in the College of Engineering at NMSU. He is joined by a diverse group of co-principal investigators, including:

Roopa Vishwanathan: Computer Science Associate Professor
Suparna Chatterjee: Curriculum and Instruction Assistant Professor
Hameed Badawy: Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor
Chaitanya Mahajan: Industrial Engineering Assistant Professor
Gaurav Panwar: Computer Science Assistant Professor

The team also collaborates with Marceline Masumbe Netongo from Navajo Technical University, Mihail Devetsikiotis and Xiang Sun from the University of New Mexico, and Krishna Roy from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

Objectives of the Grant

Enhancing New Mexico’s Research Competitiveness

The grant aims to make distributed additive manufacturing a tangible reality for New Mexico. This effort is crucial given the state’s population, which is dispersed across small towns and large land areas. Jay Misra believes that distributed AM could be a major innovation driver, fostering small and medium enterprise (SME) creation and spurring inclusive economic growth across rural and tribal populations.

Building a Secure Framework

To realize this vision, the project will establish a secure and trustworthy networking and cybersecurity framework. This structure will serve as the backbone for widespread adoption of distributed manufacturing, both within New Mexico and globally.

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DREAM: The Research Center

Foundation for Advanced Distributed AM Infrastructure

The Research Center for Distributed Resilient and Emergent-Intelligence-Based Additive Manufacturing (DREAM) will be the cornerstone of this project. DREAM aims to build a competitive edge in the global manufacturing sector by creating an intelligent AM infrastructure in New Mexico. This will contribute to fundamental knowledge in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and machine learning, and support SME-driven economic growth.

Workforce Development

One of the project’s hallmark features is its holistic approach to workforce development. From middle school to doctoral and postdoctoral levels, the project will intertwine classroom activities with research experiences. This integrated pathway will also emphasize diversity, inclusion, and belonging, ensuring that the future AM workforce is both skilled and representative of broader communities.

Role of National Science Foundation (NSF)

Elevating STEM Research Capacity

Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the NSF, highlights the significance of this investment. “This investment from NSF’s E-RISE RII program powers scientific progress through broad networks of researchers, institutions, and organizations,” Panchanathan states. The goal is to significantly enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) research capacity in EPSCoR jurisdictions, making them even more competitive nationally and internationally.

Key Components of the DREAM Project

Research Center Goals and Vision

The DREAM project will utilize expertise from various sectors and academic institutions spread across New Mexico. The center aims to become a hub for intelligent distributed AM by addressing architectural challenges in networking and security.

Scalable Solutions

To meet these challenges, the team will:

Propose a scalable, cloud-edge continuum blueprint through software virtualization and containerization.
Address security and trust needs by establishing frameworks that ensure verifiability and auditability.
Build a novel distributed testbed infrastructure with a digital twin to refine networking, security, and communication processes.

Global Recognition

“This grant will help us lay the groundwork for New Mexico being internationally recognized as a top innovator in distributed and intelligent advanced manufacturing,” Misra asserts. Under his guidance, and through the support of the DREAM project, NMSU is set to lead the charge in making distributed AM an integral part of the manufacturing industry.

The Growing Importance of Distributed Additive Manufacturing

Revolutionizing Traditional Manufacturing

Distributed AM holds the potential to revolutionize traditional manufacturing paradigms. By enabling localized production, AM can reduce the need for large, centralized factories and extensive supply chains. This shift could lower costs and shorten time-to-market for new products, making it particularly beneficial for SMEs.

Impacts on Various Sectors

Various industries stand to benefit from distributed AM. For example:

Healthcare: Customizable medical implants, devices, and models can be produced on-demand.
Aerospace: Lightweight, highly specialized parts can be designed and manufactured without the constraints of traditional methods.
Automotive: Rapid prototyping and small-batch production become more feasible, allowing for quicker innovation cycles.

The Socio-Economic Benefits

Inclusivity and Economic Growth

One of the most compelling aspects of the DREAM project is its potential socio-economic impact. By fostering localized manufacturing hubs, the project aims to spur economic growth in rural and tribal communities long overlooked by industrial investments. This inclusivity is in line with broader national efforts to make economic growth more equitable.

Workforce Competitiveness

As new generations of students gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge AM technology, they will be well-equipped to enter the workforce. The emphasis on STEM education, diversity, and inclusion ensures that a wide range of perspectives will contribute to the future of manufacturing.

NMSU’s Role in the Broader AM Ecosystem

A Hub for Innovation

With the DREAM project at its core, NMSU is poised to become a central player in the broader AM ecosystem. The university’s role will extend beyond New Mexico, contributing to national and international advancements in distributed manufacturing.

Future Outlook

Sustainable Growth

Looking ahead, the DREAM project’s success could serve as a model for other states and jurisdictions aiming to foster innovation through distributed manufacturing. As these initiatives gain traction, the cumulative effect could be a more sustainable and resilient manufacturing industry.

Continued Research and Development

Ongoing research and development will be crucial to maintaining momentum. The DREAM project sets a strong foundation, but continuous advancements in technology and methodology will be necessary to fully realize the potential of distributed AM.

Conclusion

The Path Forward

The $7 million NSF grant awarded to NMSU marks a significant milestone in the journey towards making distributed AM a reality. Under the leadership of Jay Misra and his team of distinguished researchers, the DREAM project aims to transform New Mexico into a hub of innovation and inclusivity. With its focus on building secure, scalable infrastructure and fostering workforce development, the project holds promise not only for the state’s economic growth but also for setting a global precedent in advanced manufacturing.

It’s an exciting time for New Mexico, and the ripple effects of this project could well be felt far beyond the state’s borders. Keep an eye on this space as the DREAM project continues to unfold, showcasing what dedicated research and visionary leadership can achieve.

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