1. Strategy Review Sessions September 11 and 12, 2017
AMC at UMD
Strategy Review Sessions
September 11 and 12, 2017

2. 2017 Strategy Review Session September 11, 2017
Focus of Strategy Review Session:
Progress to date of AMC
Validation of Graduate Program
Progress of seed research programs
Exploration of industry needs and partnerships
Process of review
Update of progress since September 2016
Presentation of Graduate Program and discussion in focus groups
Presentations by seed project PI’s
Panel discussion with potential industry partners

3. AMC Mission
The AMC will provide leadership in interdisciplinary research, training, and outreach that supports the generation and application of new materials for the benefit of our students, faculty, and regional partners”
AMC
Training
Research
Outreach
New Materials
Jobs and
Economic Diversification

4. Progress of AMC: Significant
Secured initial financial contribution
Secured funding for new building
Secured internal commitments
Hiring
Teaching
Research
Secured external commitments
Industrial partnerships
Equipment
NRRI relationship
Twin City

5. Progress in Research: Emerging
Areas of focus have been determined
Interfaces of hard and soft materials
Advanced materials
Manufacturing of advanced materials (3D printing)
Seed projects have been initiated
Recycled glass in concrete
New additives for diesel in cold climates
New materials for solar cells
Research projects are being leveraged

6. Progress in Training: Strong
Graduate program leading to Masters of Applied Material Science defined
Program philosophy determined
Program structure proposed
Program content developing
Program delivery is novel
Program being validated internally and externally
Undergraduate program still to be explored

7. Progress in Outreach: Developing
Industry
Outstanding support from a key partner
Extensive discussions with prospective partners
Project participation
Defining needs of industry
Partnering with equipment access
Natural Resources Research Institute
Training opportunities
Discussions with peer organizations underway

8. AMC Graduate Program: Master’s Applied Material Science
Philosophy:
Prepare students for a better transition into jobs in materials based industry
Motivation:
Create new job opportunities by making students more attractive to industry
Design:
Core course to achieve broad exposure
Electives, projects, and thesis to achieve depth
Content:
From ‘simple’ materials to ‘complex’ materials to ‘advanced’ materials
Delivery:
Incorporate modern teaching tools (case studies, problem solving) to achieve
Self-learning
Soft-skills and business skills (e.g. communications skills)
General as well as specific knowledge

9. Graduate Program Feedback
Through focus group discussions and reports there was general agreement that
Philosophy and motivation is correct
Overall program design and structure was appropriate for the objectives and fits within the UMD structure
The content in the core course is ambitious. Examine priorities and deliver some content through special projects. The material is appropriately sequenced. Examine whether there are key items missing (modeling, material failure were examples)
The delivery methods are exciting, but will demand work and resources that need to be carefully negotiated.
Specific, constructive comments have been assembled and reviewed and will be incorporated.

10. AMC Seed project review
Three projects were selected for funding
Projects started July 1, 2017, so review is of early stage formulation of projects
Projects were
Exploration of using recycled glass in concrete
Creating production scale for additives to diesel fuel for cold climates
Removing toxic metals in materials for solar cells
All projects were in early stages but were well received and show potential

11. AMC Industry partnerships
The panel discussion was designed to explore
The needs of industry when hiring for materials jobs
The interest of industry in participation in AMC
At research level
At training level
As partners
The focus of the panel discussion was on needs in student preparation
The discussion
Validated the graduate program design
Pointed to need for communication skills, confidence to take risks, experience as well as knowledge, understanding interdisciplinary team work, focus on solving problems and getting results.
Gave strong expressions of support for AMC and its mission.

12. Summary of Review Session
The AMC has made significant progress in one year.
The AMC is well conceived as a two-pronged entity with a clear mission and well-articulated objectives
The AMC graduate program is structured well and is ready for beta-testing and rapid approval
The AMC Seed projects show promise
The AMC Outreach is beginning to show positive impact
There is still work to be done, but the pace of progress has been impressive to date and is likely to continue.