The University of Dayton (
UD) and the
Fraunhofer Institute of Non-Destructive Testing in Dresden, Germany have created a collaborative center of excellence at the UD School of Engineering. The project, which began with a faculty exchange program between the two organizations in 2004, will allow UD and Fraunhofer to exchange faculty, graduate students and critical ideas.
The focus of the new center will be on ways to implement or improve structural health monitoring, non-destructive evaluation and nano characterization. Structural health monitoring and non-destructive evaluation examine how to use sensors to check for structural defects without stopping production. Nano characterization looks at the materials that are used to create sensors and equipment on a molecular scale. It then determines or mitigates responses to fracture and fatigue based on how materials are welded and joined.
Now that the Center has officially opened, its leaders are ready to pursue grants and investors within Ohio. According to Dr. Tony Saliba, Dean of the School of Engineering at UD, “The center has already received grants from the European Union. Contracts and funds from companies associated with Fraunhofer will be brought here. We are putting together teams to write proposals here."
He continues, “As we continue to win grants we will hire more researchers, faculty, and assistants.”
Meanwhile, work is already in progress with the ball bearing, metal and steel manufacturer Timken Company in Canton, Ohio. The center has also done work with Ethicon of Johnson and Johnson on titanium probes and Depuy of Johnson and Johnson on titanium hip implants.
The University of Dayton and Fraunhofer Institute for Non-Destructive Testing-Dresden Project Center has potential to boost economic growth and employment in the region. “Job creation is going to come as new sensors are developed and implemented through Ohio manufacturers,” affirms Dr. Saliba.
Source: Tony Saliba
Writer: Mona Bronson-Fuqua