New Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, officially announces the launch of the Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing. The institute represents UT’s increasingly interdisciplinary approach to solving real-world problems for the benefit of Tennesseans and beyond.
Through the colocation of academic, industry and government teams, the institute aims to advance the understanding of materials and facilitate the translation of new knowledge into solutions, products and services that benefit global society.
The launch event, held at the institute’s headquarters in the 200-acre UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm, included opening remarks from Vice Chancellor for Research Deborah Crawford and a presentation from Jon Phipps, Director interim of the institute.
“IAMM represents the future of basic and applied research at UT, with efforts spanning the disciplines of chemistry, computer science, engineering, physics, design, architecture , agriculture, etc. said Crawford. “And our industry partnerships, which can cohabit with our faculty and students in our mixed-use facilities, fuel the engine that generates economic opportunity in Tennessee and far beyond.”
The institute is designed to create the inclusive community and infrastructure needed for more than 160 UT faculty and students pursuing a wide range of basic and applied research. Their work is supported by 140,000 square feet of state-of-the-art laboratory and collaboration space, with more facilities to be added over the coming years. Additional institute-related work is taking place throughout UT, including the UT Institute of Agriculture and the UT Space Institute, taking advantage of the university’s diverse facilities and capabilities.
“What differentiates UT’s Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing from other initiatives,” Phipps explained, “is that we are a cross-functional, multidisciplinary unit bringing together faculty from the flagship research university of the University of Tennessee in a meaningful way, amplifying the impact we collectively have in these areas.We also work closely with our community and technical college partners to provide workforce development opportunities that meet the needs of our industry and community partners.
“Our goals with the institute are to create a wide range of researchers unconstrained by physical location while creating opportunities for collaboration with partners in industry, national laboratories and other universities, colleges and partners in the Kindergarten through 12th grade,” Phipps said.
Brad Day, Associate Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Initiatives, explained the distinction saying, “IAMM represents a paradigm shift, a shift in the culture of how our students learn, how our faculty conduct research and how we interact with our industry. and community partners. It is a center of discovery allowing UT students to take an active and critical part in research whose results will have an impact on future generations. This sets the bar very high for research and learning in higher education.
“UT is a place where learning and research meet innovation, with trusted partners who bring unique resources and opportunities for collaboration, future jobs for students, and a shared vision to innovate and advance knowledge. “, said Crawford. “Through the institute, UT intends to strengthen its reputation as a global academic leader in materials and manufacturing.”
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CONTACT:
Chris Schmitz (865-974-8304, cschmi26@tennessee.edu)
