Establishment of a Secure and Scalable Digital Manufacturing Infrastructure Platform for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research, Education and Outreach
Abstract
A team of interdisciplinary researchers and educators at North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T) request support for the acquisition of a Secure and Scalable Digital Manufacturing Infrastructure Platform. In order to translate digital manufacturing discoveries from the laboratory to battlefield-ready products, fundamental research issues must be addressed Ð which include integration of nanoscale structures into mesoscale products and their viable commercial scale-up. One of the barriers in realizing the revolutionary impact of digital manufacturing on society is the missing link of visualization tools, equipment interconnectivity and cybersecurity protocols that can enable such migration. Objective and Methods: The objective of the proposed secure digital manufacturing infrastructure platform (DMIP) is to enable a multidisciplinary team to vision and nucleate research and education in different thrust areas related to the DoD mission. This equipment platform encompasses instrumentation for conceptualization, designing, securing, prototyping, manufacturing, and testing protocols for defense related product architectures. A robust cybersecurity architecture is proposed that will support design ideation, industrial internet-of-things (IIoT) sensors connectivity and IP protection. Augmented reality approaches will aid big-data design visualization extending the digital twinning of manufacturing systems. Research Impact: Our current research activities have revealed a need to build complex 3D dimensional freeform entities using nano/micro elements from multiple materials in situ. However, this type of equipment is unavailable on our campus which is a critical impediment. Herein lies the underlying premise for the request of the digital manufacturing infrastructure platform. The need of this equipment is based on the interdisciplinary nature of research, high level of student and faculty involvement, active student recruitment strategy and commitment to community education and training. The proposed equipment will leverage several research programs being sponsored by the DoD, NSF, ORNL and industry. It will complement and further extend our existing capabilities in non-traditional manufacturing including microjet direct-write fabrication, and molecular beam epitaxy. The Digital Manufacturing Platform provides seamless integration of a variety of visualization, design, manufacturing, and cybersecurity equipment for research applications pertaining to the DoD. These include the development of conformal lattice superstructures for optoelectronics, in situ biochemical warfare sensors, high performance soldier gear, early warning cyber-attack systems and digital twin decoys for emerging DoD applications. Education and Outreach Impact: With the steady erosion of the traditional manufacturing base within the United States, it becomes imperative to introduce high-tech digital manufacturing as a driver for economic growth. On the curriculum level, this equipment will be pivotal to introducing digital manufacturing, visualization, and cybersecurity courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels in addition to a digital manufacturing certificate. We plan to setup an ÒInterdisciplinary Digital Manufacturing LaboratoryÓ for hands-on training under the auspices of the ÒCenter of Excellence in Product Design and Advanced ManufacturingÓ at NC A&T. This project will create immediate research experiences for African American undergraduates (REU) through the NC-LSAMP and Grand Scholars program. Exposure to digital manufacturing via the STEM Early College at NC A&T, K-12 Engineer Starters Program, and dissemination through annual seminar series with regional professional engineering societies will extend a high impact outreach activity. If funded, this digital manufacturing platform will enable our students, local community, and industry partners to leap forward into high-tech research, training, and employment opportunities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 02, 2022
- Source ID
- W911NF2210198
Entities
People
- Salil Desai
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense