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Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC)

Center Overview

The Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC) develops advanced manufacturing technology associated with materials joining and metal additive manufacturing. Research projects use a mix of computational and experimental tools to achieve objectives and meet the needs of its broad-based industrial membership.

Ma2JIC's mission is to advance the science and technology of advanced manufacturing as it applies to materials joining and metal additive manufacturing (printing). The goals are to:

Develop scientifically based methodologies for assessing material weldability and printability that span nanometer (nm) to millimeter (mm) length scales.
Close the gap between materials innovation and manufacturability.
Develop experimental and computational tools for materials joining and advanced manufacturing.
Develop a new generation of materials joining and additive manufacturing engineers and scientists.

Materials joining and additive manufacturing are important aspects of advancing manufacturing, particularly in the context of incorporating advanced materials into the manufacturing of new products. Issues arise where the application of new materials (including printed) have been limited, or precluded, by an inability to join them. A basic problem on the path from development to implementation is the lack of a structured, scientifically based methodologies for determining material weldability and printability. The concept of weldability/printability occurs at the intersection of the joining/printing process and the materials' response to the thermal and mechanical conditions that are imposed by the processes. Considering the diverse need for materials in virtually every industry segment, it is critical to develop scientific methodologies to join and print these materials.

Universities

Colorado School of Mines
Ohio State University
Pennsylvania State University
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

View Center Website

Center Personnel

Antonio J. Ramirez
Professor, Center Director
+1 614 292 8662
ramirez.49@osu.edu

Yanfei Gao
Site Director University of Tennessee Knoxville
+1 865 974 2350
ygao7@utk.edu

Zhenzhen Yu
Site Director, Colorado School of Mines
+1 303 273 3798
zyu@mines.edu

Heather Spisak
Center Manager
+1 614 688 4528
spisak.13@osu.edu

Michael Benoit
Site Director, University of Waterloo
42199 +1 519 888 4567
michael.benoit@uwaterloo.ca

Todd Palmer
Site Director, Pennsylvania State University
+1 814 863 8865
tap103@psu.edu

Research Focus

Additive manufacturing/process development and control

Ma2JIC promotes innovation and development in additive manufacturing and joining processes. Areas of interest and focus: metal additive manufacturing, brazing, advanced arc welding, solid-state joining, sensors, process monitoring and control, and the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve these processes.

Material and joint performance

Ma2JIC's focus is on the understanding and optimization of welded/printed materials performance when exposed to industry service environments. Assess using a multitude of variables including: material composition, welding/printing process and techniques, and service conditions. Dynamic material performance includes examination of the effects of strain, fatigue, and corrosion. Includes validation and development of models based on experimental results. The goal is to optimize materials, welding, and printing solutions, as well as the code requirements governing industry.

Metallurgy/microstructure/weldability

The goal is to develop a better understanding of the fundamentals associated with failure mechanisms; create new and revolutionary ways to quantify the material weldability/printability and seek standardization; study the interconnected effects of microstructure, thermo-mechanical history and composition on weldability/printability; explore real-time nondestructive testing techniques to monitor joints and printed components; and have a better understanding of long-term predictability of joints and printed materials.

Process and materials modeling

Ma2JIC researches the development and deployment of computational models that can provide a comprehensive understanding of microstructure and performance of joints and printed materials/components, as a function of joining/printing processes and process parameters. Models are also being developed to support materials innovation and predict performance under challenging conditions.

Awards

2052819

IUCRC Phase III Colorado School of Mines: Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC)

The Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC) is a multi-university consortium leading materials joining and metal additive manufacturing research by fostering and translating scientific discovery to application. The Center also educates the next generation of scientists and engineers that will develop new advanced manufacturing technologies and process innovations to rebuild the competitiveness of U.S. domestic manufacturing. Given the importance of materials joining for the manufacturing of products that are critical to health, safety, national security, and the continuity of multiple industries, Ma2JIC serves multiple sectors of national interest for the U.S. economy and defense. The center provides a highly collaborative research environment among government partners, industry, and university faculty and students to promote the development and application of fundamental knowledge in materials joining and additive manufacturing. The Center also serves as a platform for the education of a well-trained and diverse scientific and engineering workforce. Ma2JIC’s primary focus on research and development translates into industry members' and consumers' benefit. The coordinated effort across all sites increases public awareness, scientific literacy and a diverse STEM pipeline.

Based on the needs of its large and diverse industrial membership, Ma2JIC supports research in the following three thrust areas: (1) Materials & Joints Performance, (2) Additive Manufacturing, Process Development & Control, and (3) Materials, Microstructure & Weldability & Printability. The Materials & Joints Performance thrust focuses on the effect of materials and manufacturing processes on the mechanical, functional and environmental performance of manufactured or printed components, especially with regard to improved reliability, cost reduction and extension of service life of critical infrastructure. The Additive Manufacturing, Process Development & Control thrust area addresses fundamental challenges in joining and additive manufacturing (AM) processes, robotics, and control, as well as integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) frameworks for joining and AM. Finally, the Materials, Microstructure & Weldability & Printability thrust area seeks to develop fundamental understanding and testing capabilities to enable evaluation and development of materials more amenable to advanced joining and manufacturing processes. The Colorado School of Mines (CSM) site has expertise and facilities that directly complement the welding metallurgy and processing specialties of partner sites, especially in the design of filler metals/feedstocks using multi-scale physics-based models, pilot-scale manufacturing of fillers, computing-intensive artificial intelligence and robotics, and state-of-the-art AM equipment with in-process sensing capabilities.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. Read More >

2052729

IUCRC Phase III University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK): Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC)

The Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC) is a multi-university consortium leading materials joining and metal additive manufacturing research by fostering and translating scientific discovery to application. The Center also educates the next generation of scientists and engineers that will develop new advanced manufacturing technologies and process innovations to rebuild the competitiveness of U.S. domestic manufacturing. Given the importance of materials joining for the manufacturing of products that are critical to health, safety, national security, and the continuity of multiple industries, Ma2JIC serves multiple sectors of national interest for the U.S. economy and defense. The center provides a highly collaborative research environment among government partners, industry, and university faculty and students to promote the development and application of fundamental knowledge in materials joining and additive manufacturing. The Center also serves as a platform for the education of a well-trained and diverse scientific and engineering workforce. Ma2JIC’s primary focus on research and development translates into industry members' and consumers' benefit. The coordinated effort across all sites increases public awareness, scientific literacy and a diverse STEM pipeline.

Based on the needs of its large and diverse industrial membership, Ma2JIC supports research in the following three thrust areas: (1) Materials & Joints Performance, (2) Additive Manufacturing, Process Development & Control, and (3) Materials, Microstructure & Weldability & Printability. The Materials & Joints Performance thrust focuses on the effect of materials and manufacturing processes on the mechanical, functional and environmental performance of manufactured or printed components, especially with regard to improved reliability, cost reduction and extension of service life of critical infrastructure. The Additive Manufacturing, Process Development & Control thrust area addresses fundamental challenges in joining and additive manufacturing (AM) processes, robotics, and control, as well as integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) frameworks for joining and AM. Finally, the Materials, Microstructure & Weldability & Printability thrust area seeks to develop fundamental understanding and testing capabilities to enable evaluation and development of materials more amenable to advanced joining and manufacturing processes. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) site complements collaborative research within the center with its unique research capabilities and infrastructure resources for conducting various characterization studies and a Machine Tool Research Center (MTRC) with milling and additive manufacturing systems.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. Read More >

2052612

IUCRC Phase III Pennsylvania State University (PSU): Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC)

The Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC) is a multi-university consortium focused on materials joining and metal additive manufacturing research. The Center fosters and translates scientific discovery to application while educating the next generation of scientists and engineers that will develop new advanced manufacturing technologies and process innovations to rebuild the competitiveness of U.S. domestic manufacturing. Given the importance of materials joining for the manufacturing of products that are critical to health, safety, national security, and the continuity of multiple industries, Ma2JIC serves multiple sectors of the U.S. economy and defense. The center provides a highly collaborative research environment among government partners, industry, and university faculty and students to promote the development and application of fundamental knowledge in materials joining and additive manufacturing. The Center is a platform for the education of a well-trained and diverse scientific and engineering workforce. Ma2JIC’s primary focus is on research and development that translates to industry members' and consumers' benefit. The coordinated effort across all sites increases public awareness and scientific literacy.

Based on the needs of its large and diverse industrial membership, Ma2JIC supports research in the following three thrust areas: (1) Materials & Joints Performance, (2) Additive Manufacturing, Process Development & Control, and (3) Materials, Microstructure & Weldability & Printability. The Materials & Joints Performance thrust focuses on the effect of materials and manufacturing processes on the mechanical, functional and environmental performance of manufactured or printed components, in particular as they relate to improved reliability, cost reduction and the extension of the service life of critical infrastruture. The Additive Manufacturing, Process Development & Control thrust addresses fundamental challenges in joining and additive manufacturing (AM) processes, robotics and control, as well as integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) frameworks for joining and AM. Finally, the Materials, Microstructure & Weldability & Printability thrust seeks to develop fundamental understanding and testing capabilities to enable evaluation and development of materials more amenable to advanced joining and manufacturing processes. Pennsylvania State University is a natural partner in Ma2JIC and brings complementary capabilities in materials weldability, manufacturing and joining process development, materials performance, modeling innovation, and additive manufacturing. In addition to enhancing its existing strengths, Penn State will also bring new capabilities and research focus areas to expand the range of projects and industry partners affiliated with Ma2JIC. Penn State has historical strengths in powder metallurgy, and ceramic and plastics processing. While these focus areas complement the current Ma2JIC research thrusts, they also allow for an expansion of capabilities and research into related advanced manufacturing processes and promote the integration of multi-material systems into existing and new product forms for the industry partners. These capabilities will also compliment the industry partner base within Ma2JIC and bring new industry partners in related manufacturing areas, such as materials and aerospace parts suppliers. Future work will build upon modeling and material characterization to develop new research involving multi-materials.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. Read More >

2052747

IUCRC Phase III The Ohio State University: Manufacturing & Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC)

The Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC) is a multi-university consortium leading materials joining and metal additive manufacturing research by fostering and translating scientific discovery to application. The Center also educates the next generation of scientists and engineers that will develop new advanced manufacturing technologies and process innovations to rebuild the competitiveness of U.S. domestic manufacturing. Given the importance of materials joining for the manufacturing of products that are critical to health, safety, national security, and the continuity of multiple industries, Ma2JIC serves multiple sectors of national interest for the U.S. economy and defense. The center provides a highly collaborative research environment among government partners, industry, and university faculty and students to promote the development and application of fundamental knowledge in materials joining and additive manufacturing. The Center also serves as a platform for the education of a well-trained and diverse scientific and engineering workforce. Ma2JIC’s primary focus on research and development translates into industry members' and consumers' benefit. The coordinated effort across all sites increases public awareness, scientific literacy and a diverse STEM pipeline.

Based on the needs of its large and diverse industrial membership, Ma2JIC supports research in the following three thrust areas: (1) Materials & Joints Performance, (2) Additive Manufacturing, Process Development & Control, and (3) Materials, Microstructure & Weldability & Printability. The Materials & Joints Performance thrust focuses on the effect of materials and manufacturing processes on the mechanical, functional and environmental performance of manufactured or printed components, especially with regard to improved reliability, cost reduction and extension of service life of critical infrastructure. The Additive Manufacturing, Process Development & Control thrust area addresses fundamental challenges in joining and additive manufacturing (AM) processes, robotics, and control, as well as integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) frameworks for joining and AM. Finally, the Materials, Microstructure & Weldability & Printability thrust area seeks to develop fundamental understanding and testing capabilities to enable evaluation and development of materials more amenable to advanced joining and manufacturing processes. The Ohio State University (OSU) site complements collaborative research within the center with its research capabilities and infrastructure resources for weldability and printability test development; accelerated alloy development and design, process and materials evolution modeling; non-destructive evaluation; and additive manufacturing using powder-bed and large scale direct energy deposition techniques using electron and laser beams as well as wire-based arc welding.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. Read More >

Member Organizations

IUCRC affiliated member organizations are displayed as submitted by the Center. Non-federal organizations are not selected, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the U.S. National Science Foundation.

ArcelorMittal
Army
Astaras
CBMM
CETIM
Cloos Robotic
Edison Welding Institute (EWI)
Electric Power Research Institute
ESAB
ESI
Fortius Metals
General Motors
Hobart Brothers
Honda
IPG Photonics
ITW Hobart
JGC Corp
Knightvision
Lincoln Electric
Los Alamos National Laboratory
NASA
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Navy
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
Sandia National Laboratories
Shell
Stress Engineering
Suncor Energy
TechnipFMC
Thermo-Calc

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the Center author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.