U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer visits Alfred University campus, announces multi-million-dollar grant to create new partnership with U.S. Army
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, visited Alfred University today to announce a multi-million dollar federal grant for the development of ceramic materials that can survive the white-hot heat of extreme speeds. Alfred University will partner with the U.S. Army in the project.
ALFRED, NY (Aug. 12, 2022) – U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, visited Alfred University today to announce a multi-million dollar federal grant for the development of ceramic materials that can survive the white-hot heat of extreme speeds. Alfred University will partner with the U.S. Army in the project.
Schumer said the grant, which will be included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bill, will support the development of ceramic materials to strengthen national security and boost the Southern Tier economy. The funding also represents one of the largest single investments ever by the federal government in Alfred University research, according to Schumer’s office, which noted the University is one of the only facilities in the country with the technology and expertise to make these scientific breakthroughs.
The U.S. Army-Alfred University project will focus on the development of heat-resistant ceramic materials “that are critical to our national security, especially as foreign powers such as Russia and China are investing heavily in research for (similar materials),” Schumer said.
“Alfred University will soon be a kiln of innovation for the U.S. Army,” he added. “I am proud to have secured this significant award to help turn up the heat on Alfred’s ceramics program and expand this already nationally recognized science and education program. This research can only be done with expertise and facilities we have here in Allegany County and is going to help us stay ahead in the defense industry (and) strengthen our national defense, all while creating the next generation of the Southern Tier’s scientific workforce.”
“We are deeply grateful to Senator Schumer for his support of this project,” said Alfred University President Mark Zupan. “This partnership with the Army Research Laboratory affirms Alfred University’s standing as a leader in … ceramic materials research.”
Gabrielle Gaustad, Dean of the Inamori School of Engineering, added, “This has the potential to be one the most significant research awards Alfred University has ever landed. The resources provided by this collaboration could change the trajectory of our ceramic engineering and materials science program in very exciting ways.”
Schumer’s office noted Alfred University is a leader in advanced ceramics research and ceramic engineering, “as one of the only schools in the nation that has a rigorous ceramics-engineering program. As a result, Alfred is uniquely positions to partner with Army researchers to develop ceramics technology to strengthen our national security in the growing … race (for high-speed materials).”
Joining Schumer, Zupan and Gaustad in the McMahon Engineering Building were Scott Misture, Inamori Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and several additional faculty members of the Inamori School of Engineering. According to Gaustad, Misture will lead the Alfred University team of scientists in researching ceramic materials for the U.S. Army project.
In photo above: Gabrielle Gaustad, Dean of the Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University; U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer; Inamori Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Scott Misture; and Alfred University President Mark Zupan.