Alfred University hosts ceremony announcing Space Materials Institute

Holly Shulman '87, director of the Space Materials Institute at Alfred University (left), Gabrielle Gaustad '04, dean of Alfred University's Inamori School of Engineering (center), and David Gottfried, director of Alfred University's Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology, participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the Institute's opening.

Alfred University Thursday held a ceremony to announce the opening its Space Materials Institute, established in the Inamori School of Engineering to advance the science and technology of materials in support of aerospace and outer space exploration.

Inamori School of Engineering Dean Gabrielle Gaustad '04, introduced Professor Holly Shulman '87 as director of the new Institute. The ceremony was held shortly after Alfred University hosted Dr. Kang N. Lee of the NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, who delivered the annual John F. McMahon Lecture. Gaustad, Shulman, and David Gottfried, director of Alfred University's Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology (CACT), performed the formal ribbon cutting.

Shulman in turn introduced Alfred University faculty and students who spoke of their own work in connection with engineering research related to space exploration. Shulman herself began the symposium, describing the work of Blue Star Advanced Manufacturing, of which she serves as president, to pioneer microwave technologies to be used on the lunar surface.

Additional speakers included Gottfried, Inamori Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Scott Misture, Assistant Professor of Glass Science Engineering Collin Wilkinson, PhD student Cooper Howard, and undergraduate engineering student Ruby Kavanagh.

The purpose of the Space Materials Institute is to facilitate industry and agency projects with Alfred University that engage students in hands-on experiential learning opportunities, while allowing companies to develop and protect intellectual property. The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University is a key provider of quality ceramic, glass and materials engineers to the advanced materials workforce pipeline. The Space Materials Institute is working with Alfred University's CACT to initiate and grow New York State capabilities in the space and aerospace sectors.

Current efforts at Alfred University with agencies and industry include projects with NASA, ARPA-E, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Army Research Laboratories (ARL), SpaceX, Blue Origin, Safran Aerosystems, Lockheed Martin, Washington Mills, Lithoz, and Blue Star.

The serious focus of the symposium - the future of space exploration - included moments of levity. Gaustad in particular described her early fascination with space exploration. Her work as an undergraduate at Alfred University included participating in the Zero-G Flight Opportunities Program hosted by NASA. She and three other Alfred University students rode the Convair C-131 Samaritan aircraft in Houston, TX, experiencing the effects of zero gravity. The plane had been dubbed The Vomit Comet - "But," Gaustad said, "we were the only team with no member who vomited."