Towards In-Space Manufacturing of Engineered Living Materials
Abstract
The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) AFOSR National Science Portal- Towards In-Space Manufacturing of Engineered Living Materials, will establish research and student engagement collaborations between FAMU, researchers at Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL), and a number of academic and industry partners. The objective is to develop, characterize, and assemble-manufacture living materials into novel structures and devices of relevance to the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Of particular interest is the In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing National Strategy - a main goal of which is to enable the manufacturing technologies and processes required to provide on-demand sustainable in-space operations. Recent efforts at FAMU have led to the National Science Foundation funded CREST (Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology) being established to focus on materials development and processing for several applications. Using these developments, we would like to propose projects of interest to AFRL with an aim of establishing long-term collaborations, to improve the infrastructure at FAMU, and to train the next generation of minority students in space related research. The proposed National Science Portal (NSP) project will advance AFRL STEM engagement strategies through a program of basic research of biofilm-based materials, engagement of graduate, undergraduate, and K-12 students in research and internships at AFRL, and the development of a correlated STEM engagement program in collaboration with Florida State University and the University of Rochester. This NSP aligns with FAMU s current strengths in Chemical and Biological Engineering, the newly established Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and capabilities at AFRL. As a result of this NSP, we expect to produce several domestic African American and Hispanic Ph.D.s, and impact hundreds of future undergraduate students through new research programs at FAMU.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502410353
Entities
People
- Jamel Ali
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Florida A&M University
- United States Air Force