CACT Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology

The New York State Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology

(CACT) at Alfred University

The New York State Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology (CACT) at Alfred University is one of the 15 Cent-ers of Advanced Technology (CAT’s) in New York State. Since it’s founding in 1987, the CACT has been dedicated to providing a diverse, stable technological basis for sustainable growth of the ceramics and glass industry statewide. The CACT provides a range of technology transfer services to member companies — from short term “trouble shooting” services, to long term graduate research projects. Networking a range of industrial, academic, and legislative resources, the CACT carries out its mission to become the worldwide leader in ceramic and glass research.

The New York State College of Ceramics, which feeds the CACT research faculty base, is home to some of the world’s foremost experts in ceramic engineering and materials science, glass science, and applied industrial research. State-of-the-art laboratory environments and equipment are continually upgraded to provide cutting edge analytical test-ing facilities, and Scholes Library houses the largest and most comprehensive collection of ceramic and glass technol-ogy books and periodicals worldwide.

Interaction with the CACT can take a variety of forms and is determined on a case-by-case basis. A wide range of analytical services is available from a single test to periodic quality assurance testing. Production problems and/or process improvements can be addressed via intense monthly projects or more detailed long term projects. In essence, the CACT will work with each member company to determine the best method of addressing the member’s concern.

The CACT can also assist your company in identifying and placing professional ceramic engineering, materials science, and glass science engineers in permanent and internship positions.

Dr. Vasantha Amarakoon, Director Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology 607-871-2486 famarakoo@alfred.edu

Dr. Licio Pennisi, Assistant DirectorExtension Services607-871-2465pennisi@alfred.edu

Dr. Steven Arrasmith, Assistant Director Research and Pilot Plant Manager 607-871-3336 arrasmiths@alfred.edu

Mr. Gary Del RegnoBusiness Development Coordinator607-871-2084delregge@alfred.edu

Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology

Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering

NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University

2 Pine Street, McMahon 352

Alfred, New York 14802-1296

607-871-2486

Analytical Services

This phase involves analytical testing of specific samples on a fee-per-test basis. The services offered cover the range of standard ceramic analytical tests and procedures such as MOR, COE, bulk properties, electrical prop-erties, particle analysis and firing. There is an additional charge for sample preparation.

Short Term Proprietary Research

Typically, projects involving small development “firefighting” problems are covered by this option which is designed to address immediate problems or needs in a timely manner. A faculty member will supervise the program and, if desired, may also be retained as a consultant. ($10,000 - $12,000/month).

CACT Industrial Affiliates Program

This is an industry/university partnership that facilitates technology trans-fer through faculty/technical staff consultations; analytical testing services; preferred access to research; short courses and seminars; access to library, computer, and economic development services; and assistance with grant applications and business start-ups. ($25,000 - $30,000/year).

CACT Research Options

Instron Mechanical Testing Apparatus

CACT Industrial Associates Program

This is an expanded internship program which links undergraduate ceramic engineering, materials science, and glass science students with NYS companies for a summer or a semester. Also avail-able are faculty/technical staff consultations; cooperative senior thesis projects; short term research projects; analytical testing services, Scholes Library access; and trouble shooting. ($5,000 per year plus student wages).

Non-Proprietary Research Contract Services

The company specifies a research topic for the duration of twelve months or more. Research is pub-lished as a graduate thesis, with a short delay in the publication of results, as appropriate. A faculty Principal Investigator (PI) supervises the research and serves as the primary contact between the company and the CACT. ($66,000 - $70,000/year with M.S. or first year PhD; $73,000 - $80,000/year with post-doctoral fellow).

Proprietary Research Contract

The company specifies a research problem for the duration of twelve months or more. The company retains all rights to subsequent data and technology, except for agreed-to publication criteria for the graduate’s thesis (usually, published only with the company’s written authorization). A faculty PI su-pervises the research and serves as primary contact between the company and the CACT. ($85,000 - $88,000/year with M.S. or first year PhD; $99,000 - $102,000/year with post-doctoral fellow).

Graduate Fellowship

The company submits a general area of research; a faculty PI supervises the graduate student and determines the specific problem to be addressed. The CACT retains all rights to patents, and the research will be published in the open literature with no need of prior approval from the company for whom the fellowship is named. ($58,000 - $60,000/year, minimum requirement; a three-year com-mitment is preferred to ensure completion of PhD research).

CACTIndustrial Associates Program

The CACT Industrial Associates Program repre-sents one of the CACT’s most productive av-enues for university/industry interactions, ad-dressing member companies’ engineering and manufacturing needs while providing students with hands-on industrial experience. Through an expanded internship program, undergradu-ate ceramic engineering, materials science, and glass science students are linked with New York State companies for a summer (three months) or a summer plus a semester (eight months). Students participate in on-site industrial intern-ships under the direction of a NYSCC faculty advisor, pursuing research of direct relevance to the industrial process. The following semester, the student interns return to campus and com-plete thesis projects based on the internship research which utilize the NYSCC fabrication and characterization facilities. A copy of the resulting “senior thesis” is presented to the sponsoring Associate member

Electron Probe Microanalyzer

1. On-site student intern: Associate members work for three to eight month periods with engi-neers in training to address specific problems of manufacturing and design, who in turn enter the market with industrial experience upon graduation.

2. Faculty/technical staff consultations: To identify and discuss specific research issues and production problems, Associate members may consult directly with NYSCC faculty who serve as intern advisors.

3. Analytical testing services: Associate members may access NYSCC research equipment and laboratory facilities for materials and products testing as appropriate to the intern’s research project.

4. Senior thesis: Associate members receive copies of the intern’s senior thesis, a project directly related to the company’s manufacturing process.

5. Access to Scholes Library of Ceramics: Associate members may resource one of the most extensive ceramic science and engineering holdings in the world which includes over 1,200 seri-als, 100,000 bound volumes, 160,000 slides, and 50,000 government research reports.

6. Support services: Associate members may request assistance with proposal and grant ap-plications, business start-up issues, and computer services as available through the CACT.

Membership fee — $5,000 plus student intern wages annually.

Membership Benefits

Simultaneous DTA/TGA

Partial list of companies we work with...

Active Signal Technologies

American Beryllia

American Defense Systems

American Technical Coatings

Blackstone-Ney Ultrasonic

Boston Valley Terra Cotta

CeraGen LLC

Chautauqua Metal Finishing

Cooper Power Systems

Corning Incorporated

Delphi

Dielectric Laboratories

ENrG

Federal Mogul Corporation

Filtros LTD

General Electric

Greatbatch-Hittman

Heany Industries

IBM

Image Print Tech

Innex

Lazortek

Lockheed Martin

NaturalNano,Inc.

Pyrotek, Inc.

Refractron Technologies Corporation

Saint Gobain Structural Ceramics Group

Santanoni Glass &Ceramics,Inc.

Saxon Glass Technologies,Inc.

Schunk-Inex Corporation

Silicon Carbide Products

Superior Technical Ceramics

TACR LLC

Unifrax

US Resistor

Vesuvius Hi-Tech

XYLON Ceramic Materials

High Temperature Viscosity Measurement

MATERIALS Electronic ceramics (active and passive materials)

Structural ceramics

Glass

Carbon-based composites

Metal-based composites

Photonic materials

Optical materials

Polymers

Metals

Bioceramics

Whitewares

Research Areas

PROCESSING Ceramic powders

Traditional ceramics

Polymer-assisted powder processing/forming

Sintering and firing

Nanoscale fabrication

Sol-gel processing (glasses,powders,films)

Plasma deposition

Glass fibers

Computer-driven free-form fabrication

Polymer processing and coatings

RROPERTIES and CHARACHTERIZATIONThermal properties

Mechanical behavior and fracture

Electrical properties

Structural analysis

Optical properties

Glass structure

Microstructure

Surface behavior and catalysis

MODELING Structure of glass and ceramics

Microstructure

High Temperature Viscosity Measurement

Surface Area Anacysis

Many of the courses we offer can be adjusted to fit the specific technological needs of your organization, or we can create a course individu-ally designed to your specifications. These programs provide intensive instruction to your key people, who in turn disperse their new knowledge throughout the organization, providing a big return on your investment.

• Since there are no employee travel expenses, the cost per employee (with an enrollment of ten or more) can be signifi-

cantly less than the overall cost of sending staff to campus.

• Questions pertaining to your organization’s needs can be confidentially discussed.

• The course can be modified to address topics important to your organization, deleting those of little interest or expanding

on areas of high priority.

Short course programs of several days duration offer extensive in-depth coverage of materials and provide opportunities for greater interaction by participants.

To discuss the possibility of having a course

designed especially for your company and

presented on site contact:

Marlene Wightman, Director

Continuing Education/Outreach

Phone 607-871-2425 or e-mail

wightman@alfred.edu

We can develop a short course to fit your needs...

High Temperature DTA/TGA

Also listed on this website are links to: • Faculty

• Graduate

• Undergraduate

• Facilities

• Outreach

— Short Courses

— Annual John F. McMahon Lecture

— Annual Samuel R. Scholes Lecture

— Conferences

— Distance Learning

— Engineering and Materials Science Day

Descriptions of past and present short courses

can be found on our website at:

http://engineering.alfred.edu/outreach/

High Temperature DTA/TGA

Scanning Electron Micrographs in Secondary and Backscatter Electron Modes

FeaturesThe Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering offers the Bach-elor of Science degree in Biomedical Material Engineering Science, Ceramic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Glass Engineering Science, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. These programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Advanced degrees are also offered at the Masters and PhD level.

At Alfred University, The Kazuo Inamori School of Engineer-ing first year requires coursework in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering courses. Required technical cours-es taken after the first year distinguishes AU’s six different engineering programs. This preparation allows engineering students to learn about the broad fields of engineering before committing to one of the programs.

● The Materials Science and Engineering program deals with designing, developing, testing and manufacturing better materi-als and components using a combination of materials. Required courses provide knowledge of the structure, properties and processing of ceramics, glass, metals, polymers, and composites. Knowledge of material science is important in today’s industry because new materials with improved level of performance and reliability are commonly the key to new or improved engineering designs and technologies.

The Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred UniversityFeatures, Faculty & Favorites

High Temperature X-ray Diffraction

● The Ceramic Engineering and Glass Engineering Science programs provide in-depth knowledge of a specific material and a greater empha-sis on its synthesis and manufacturing. Ceramics and glass are at the cutting edge of materials research. Their unique properties (such as durability, heat resistance, etc.) and relative abundance make them ideal materials for applications in advance technology (including electronics and communi-cations) in consumer products, and in biomedical research.

● The Biomedical Material Engineering Science program focuses on both the intrinsic properties of biomaterials, and the interaction between these nonliving biomaterials and biological systems. Technical skills will focus on materials and the interactions with cells and tissues.

● The Electrical Engineering program deals with the practical application of electrical science and technology to the needs of society. This pro-gram is designed to cover the areas of electronic information processing and communications, semiconducting devices, superconducting devices, computer systems, electronic instrumentation, power and machinery, control systems, and signal systems and analysis. A concentration in computer engineering is also available.

● The Mechanical Engineering program is concerned with the fundamental properties of solids, liquids, and gases related to the creative design and manufacture of machines, heat engines, electro-mechanical devices and control systems, and with the broad area of energy conversion as re-lated to machine design. This program focuses highly on mathematics and the physical sciences to analyze and create solutions to current problems.

Scanning Electon Microscope EDS (Energy Dispersive System)

At Alfred University, The Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering blends the best elements of a larger, research oriented institution with a smaller school setting.

● With an average class size of 17 students, there is close contact with faculty who are dedicated to teaching (no teaching assistants) and who serve as student advisors. Top undergraduate students are also able to assist faculty with ongoing research.

● All engineering lab facilities are for undergraduate use, and stu-dents have at least one “hands on” lab each semester of their tenure at Alfred University. Equipment and facilities include (but are not limited to ) Materials Processing Lab, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope), the largest academic X-Ray Dif-fraction Lab, Thermosciences Laboratory, Computers, Electronic Circuits Laboratory, Laser Laboratory, and Optoelectronics Laboratory.

● The senior year includes a year-long research project that results in a formal poster presentation and a bound thesis. This capstone course involves working on a student team on a broad-based manufacturing/en-gineering project and engineering plan for a device component in a realis-tic job-like environment.

High Temperatrue Vacuum Furnace( >2000°C )

The Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering graduates are well sought after by industry, and they are widely accepted into graduate and professional programs. We have close to 100% placement each year.

● Recent graduates have obtained positions as engineers for Owens-Brockway Glass, Bausch & Lomb, The Weizmann Institute, Guardian Industries, and Pratt and Whitney to name a few.

● Recent graduates have gone on for further study at Northwestern University, University of Kentucky, Franklin Pierce Law Center, Columbia University and Penn State University, along with Alfred University.

While these programs are quite structured, students can take electives throughout the University. Here are examples of ways students can enhance their engineering interests:

● Alfred University offers a 4+1 MBA Program in conjunction with our College of Business. Students take electives in business leading to a minor in business administration. The MBA may then be completed through one additional year of study at AU. Coursework in business is recommended to any engineering student who wishes to work in research and design, su-pervision, sales, or administration.

● Students who wish to have a concentration in other programs can take classes in over 100 different programs. Engi-neering is a very diverse field, and many projects overlap concentrations.

● A minor in math, chemistry or physics is easily obtained because only a few additional courses are needed.

● Co-op and internship are optional at Alfred University, but strongly encouraged! School of Engineering students work closely with faculty and the Career Development Center to obtain summer positions with various manufacturing and research companies. Students who wish to co-op for a summer and a semester will require an additional semester to graduate. School of Engineering students have had co-ops at IBM, Corning Incorporated, Buffalo China, Certainteed, Pratt and Whitney and Dresser Rand.

● Study Abroad Program – The Inamori School of Engineering has formal agreements for study abroad with the Univer-sity of Sheffield, England; University of Erlangen-Nürnberg and Technical University Clausthal, Germany; University of Parma, Italy; Ecole National Superieure de Ceramique Industrielle, France; University of Jaume II in Castellon Spain; and Kansai-Gaidai University, Japan.

FacultyThe Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering currently has 28 full-time faculty, including four women. All hold PhD’s, teach undergraduate classes, and actively conduct research. Faculty are active in various national, regional and local engineering societies. With so many fac-ulty representing an extremely diverse field, it is not surprising to find a wide range of research happening at Alfred University.

Favorites● We have many active student organizations: The American Ceramic Society, the Society of Women Engineers, Keramos, The Minerals, Met-als and Materials Society, The Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Association for Computing Machinery, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the National Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Automotive Engineers and over 40 others.

● Alfred University is home to several research centers which foster industry sponsored research by faculty (and assisted by students!) and also encourages University-Industry collaborations.

● A sense of camaraderie is encouraged among students through group projects, computer labs, study spaces adjoining the engineering labs, and the manageable number of students within the programs.

● The Inamori School of Engineering provides a series of professional seminars each semester; speakers explore the range of opportunities available in engineering and share experiences in their specific field.

● Scholes Library of Ceramics (one of two libraries on campus) holds an extensive collection of resources, covering both the fields of engineer-ing and art. Senior projects as well as Master’s and Doctoral theses are kept on file at Scholes.

Office of Admissions, (800) 541-9229

Alumni Hall Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802

admwww@alfred.edu – www.alfred.edu

Designed by Moyi ZhangSpring, 2009School of Art and Design at Alfred University