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PMC Overview

 

The Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) Program

• The NSF began the program in the '80's
• Now one of the country's largest cooperative research programs (53 centers)
• Program Success due to many factors:
  • Academia pursuing "industry-relevant" research
  • Industry commits to longer-term, fundamental research
  • I/UCRC promote multi-disciplinary cross-sector research teams (similar to industry counterparts)

 

The PMC Mission

Thee PMC is dedicated to supporting member research and manufacturing interests by developing engineering and scientific foundations for the manufacture of advanced particulate materials (10 µm or less) by:

• Investigating methods for enhanced process understanding and product quality during manufacture
• Engineering computational tools for efficient process evaluation and simulation
• Developing and applying new techniques for characterization of particle behavior on microscopic and macrocopic levels
• Implementing an educational curriculum for training the workforce in the particulat manufacture and processing
• Transferring the above knowledge to our membership

 

Research Thrusts

• Nanomaterials Technology
• Colloid and Interfacial Chemistry
• Solution Synthesis
• Spray Formation
• Powder Mechanics
• Electrophoretic Deposition
• Sinter Systems

 

Research Projects

Current Projects

• Absorption and Light Scattering of Small Particle Pigments
  - co-P.I. William B. White and James H. Adair, graduate engineer Jun Wang
• Microwave Sintering of Nanoscale Alumina
  - P.I. Gary L. Messing, graduate engineers Kristen Brosnan and Larry Hurt
• Electrophorectic Deposition Studies of Nanoparticles for Thin Film and Coatings
  - co-P.I. Clive A. Randall and James H. Adair, graduate engineer Timothy Yosenick
• Processing and Properties of a-Al₂O₃ as a Function of Particle Size
  - P.I. James H. Adair, graduate engineer Rajneesh Kumar
• Generation II FEM - an Efficient PC-Based 3-D Finite Element Model for Real Time Design, Development and Anaylsis of Powder Compaction Process
  - P.I. Virendra M. Puri and Jinchao Xu, graduate engineer Bhvisha Mittal
• Origin and Control of Agglomerate Properties Formed by Spray Drying
  - P.I. Gary L. Messing

 

Completed Projects

• Correlation Between Deposition Method, Powder Compression Response, and Pressed Part Quality
  - P.I. Virendra M. Puri, graduate engineer Bhavisha Mittal
• Chemically-Aided Milling of Metal Oxide Powders
  - P.I. James H. Adair, graduate engineer Michael Mandanas
• Electrophoretic Deposition of Particulate Films
  - P.I. Clive A. Randall, graduate engineer Jonathan Van Tassel
• Ultrasonic Surface Wave Tachinque for the Density Evaluation of Green Powder Compacts
  - P.I. Joseph L. Rose, graduate engineer David Welsh
• Large Scale Production of Monodispersed Metal Oxide Particles via the Gel-Sol Process
  - P.I. K. Osseo-Asare, graduate engineer Quingyuan Liu
• Additive Effects on the Copaction of Granuated Powders
  - P.I. Gary L. Messing, graduate engineer Robert Carnheim

 

Project Selection

 

 

 

The PMC as a Resource

Outreach

• International Conferences:
  Fine Powder Processing 2001
  An International Conference on Fine Grinding, Classification, and Processing Technologies
  October 1-4 at Penn State
• Work Shops:
  Innovations in Particulate Materials for the New Millenium
  Joint academia/industry workshop to identify the key technology thrusts for the future of particle science
• Short Courses (in conjunction with CISP)
  Binders and Lubricants
  Powder Characterization

 

Education

• Conferences and Workshops
  • Designed to bring academia and industry together to dialog key issues in particle science
  • Traqin the workforce in particle technology
• Undergraduate Education
  Undergraduate Research Fellowships (URF)
  Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
  • The URF program is industry-sponsored and the REU program is NSF sponsored
  • Both programs provide assistance for undergraduates to gain insightful research experience
• Graduate Education
  Fellowship and Graduate Assistantships
  Graduate Courses
  • Research projects sponsored by industry members

 

Leveraged Funding

• Member Fees
  Benefit from many directed research projects for the price of one
• Government Programs
  NSF core funding, TIE projects
• State Programs
• Private Funding
  Ben Franklin Technology Partners
• PMC Members get more for their money!

 

 

Membership in the PMC

Full Membership ($35,000/year)

• Full voting rights
• Access to PCL
• Priority Intellectual Property

 

Associate Membership ($10,000/year, or In-Kind Equipment Donation)

• Oversight, non-voting status

 

Benefits of PMC Membership

• Directed, Industry Relevant Research Projects
• Highly Leveraged Funding
• Networking and collaboration opportunites with Corporate Members of similar interest
• Trained future workforce
• Interactions with future employees and customers
• Access to high-end research facilities
• Proprietary position on Technology Transfer