YSU Gets $365,000 DOD Grant for 3-D Printer

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University is getting a $365,000 grant from the Department of Defense to fund the purchase of a 3-D printer that will give its students and faculty “access to additive manufacturing technology unmatched by any other university in the nation,” says Martin Abraham, YSU provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The grant is from the Office of Naval Research and its Defense University Research Instrumentation Program

YSU is one of 700 academic institutions that applied for funding in a merit competition through three DOD research offices; only 111 received awards.

“There are seven types of additive manufacturing processes,” said Brett Conner, YSU associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering and director of Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Initiatives. “With this new equipment, YSU students and faculty will have access to six of the seven types of processes either here at YSU or at America Makes.”

The new 3D printer uses a process called “directed energy deposition” that involves spraying powdered metal or ceramic in front of a laser that then fuses the powder.

“With this additional equipment, we believe YSU now provides our students, faculty and the community with access to additive manufacturing technology unmatched by any other university in the nation,” said Martin Abraham, YSU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

“Given our success with research and educational initiatives in additive manufacturing, and the broad availability of our equipment, we have a rightful claim to being the best opportunity for students across the nation wishing to become educated in this manufacturing capability.”

The Defense University Research Instrumentation Program supports the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment that augments current university capabilities or develops new capabilities to perform cutting edge defense research and associated graduate student research training.

Pictured: In the directed energy deposition process, a laser deposits layers of metal to repair an impeller pump. Photo courtesy of Optomec, Albuquerque, N.M. Posted at Fabricator.com.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.