2017 Issue

39 where new industry contracts can be secured and state jobs increased. • UAMMI coordinated the winning of a $1.6M contract led by the University of Utah in cooperation with the University of Kentucky and some Utah companies to develop a system to make automotive-grade carbon fiber using coal as the starting material (thus supporting coal-producing areas that are depressed economically). This contract has been funded by the Department of Commerce. The program is also being linked to the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory as the hoped-for output of the program will be an automotive-grade carbon fiber at a favorable price. If successful, this program could create new jobs in rural communities in Utah that have been hard hit by the decline of the coal industry and provide a low cost material to help open new markets for Utah composite manufacturers. An Invitation to Get Involved To accomplish these objectives, project organizers will reach out to and engage with as many advanced composite companies and professionals as possible. There are also ways for the industry to get involved, ranging from: • Registering for the industry newsletter to stay in- formed and become aware of new opportunities (register at www.UAMMI.com ) • Participating in supply chain mapping discussions (Any company or professional wanting to be involved should contact the project director via the website for more information.) • Attending project events (informal opportunities to network with other industry members) advertised on the website. The model of strong composite-oriented, industry-led, state-coordinated organizations like UAMMI, especially in concert with other IMCPs, is a powerful new way of sup- porting composites development. Companies benefit from new technologies and linkages for contracts, universities have greater interactions with government and companies, and governments see economic growth. About the authors: Ms. Tymofichuk is a senior research and development expert with Logistic Special- ties, Inc (LSI) in Layton, Utah. She has ex- tensive experience in research, technology development, risk assessment, test and evaluation, program management, main- tenance, strategic planning, and STEM workforce develop- ment. Prior to her position with LSI, she spent 24 years as a civilian with Air Force, retiring as Director of Engineering for the Air Force Sustainment Center where she provided executive leadership and direction to a technical workforce of more than 4,500 science and engineering professionals spanning three states and covering diverse workload port- folios spanning aircraft structures and composites through software development. She currently serves as UAMMI’s Military Liaison. Angie is Utah SAMPE’s UEC liaison and serves on the Board. Dr. Brent Strong is an emeritus faculty member in the Fulton College of Engi- neering and Technology at Brigham Young University (Provo, UT, US). He serves on the board of directors for UAMMI. Dr. Strong is the founding director of the Advanced Composite Manufacturing and Engineering (ACME) Cen- ter and a director of the Rapid Product Realization Center, both Centers of Excellence for the State of Utah. He is also the founding Director of the Manufacturing Leadership Forum, the Venture Factory and the Student Innovator of the Year program at BYU. A past international president of SAMPE and a SAMPE Fellow, he currently serves on both its North American and global boards of directors. He holds a PhD in chemistry, teaches and lectures widely, is the author, co-author or editor of 15 books and 130 peer-reviewed papers and holds 15 patents.