SMI’s model is to facilitate industry and agency projects with Alfred University that engage students in hands-on experiential learning opportunities, while allowing companies to develop and protect intellectual property. Alfred University’s New York State College of Ceramics is a key provider of quality ceramic, glass and materials engineers to the advanced materials workforce pipeline. The Space Materials Institute is working with Alfred University’s Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology (CACT) to initiate and grow New York State capabilities in the space and aerospace sectors.
“It is so exciting to continue our rich history in this area. When I was a first-year ceramic engineering student at Alfred, I was able to participate in the Zero-G Flight Opportunities Program hosted by NASA and it had a huge impact on me,” said Dr. Gabrielle Gaustad ’04, dean of the Inamori School of Engineering and associate provost for research at Alfred University. Gaustad was referring to her time as an Alfred University undergraduate, when she participated in a NASA research fellowship in Houston, TX. “It is full circle to be here now as dean and see all the enthusiasm and skillsets our current students have for the space sector.”
Current efforts at Alfred University with agencies and industry include projects with NASA, ARPA-E, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Army Research Laboratories (ARL), SpaceX, Blue Origin, Safran Aerosystems, Lockheed Martin, Washington Mills, Lithoz, and Blue Star Advanced Manufacturing.