The Georgia Institute of Technology is presenting a one-day workshop on the development of a sustainable domestic industrial base for lightweight, energy-efficient systems. The workshop will bring together acquisition leaders from the U.S. Government, academia, and industry that have common interests in supply chain analysis and advancing the availability of domestic sources for lightweight material solutions for Government systems.
Senior leadership and staff representing the interagency Defense Production Act Committee (DPAC) have been invited to participate. The DPAC is a Congressionally-established body comprised of 17 Department and Agency heads who advise the President on ensuring the U.S. industrial base can meet essential government needs. Proceedings of the workshop will help advance the analysis of a new DPAC effort dedicated to lightweight materials.
Need:
The availability of advanced lightweight materials is a cross-cutting requirement that is crucial to improving the performance of many systems in areas such as energy-efficiency and performance. This technology has applications to current systems, such as automotive and aircraft light-weighting, while also acting as an enabler for innovative platforms, such as alternative energy sources. However, some of the resources for stronger, lighter, and more energy efficient materials, originate outside of the U.S. The long-term robustness of those resources currently produced in the U.S. have not been systematically examined across the entire spectrum of the Federal programs. Should any of these suppliers fail to deliver key goods, the U.S. becomes strategically vulnerable.
Goals:
The workshop’s primary goal is to ensure closer alignment and coordination among all stakeholders – Federal agencies, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s), suppliers, trade associations, technical societies, and academia – to achieve a robust industrial base for lightweight, energy-efficient materials. The following topics will be discussed:
1. The current limitations of conventional materials and the need for
lightweight systems;
2. Define the supply chain requirements for meeting lightweight,
high-performance, energy-efficient targets within Federal programs;
3. Identify underdeveloped industrial bases and examine why these
gaps/deficiencies exist; and
4. Advise DPAC on a way forward for the development of domestic
capabilities.
Format:
The conference will commence with keynote and guest speakers, followed by a panel comprised of representatives from academia, Government, and industry who will discuss the need for domestic sources of lightweight materials. Two breakout discussion sessions (in the morning and the afternoon) will occur:
Morning Sessions:
1.) Technology Development & Transition
2.) Workforce Development
3.) Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
4.) Policy Gaps
Afternoon Sessions:
1.) Composites
2.) Ceramics
3.) Metals
4.) Emerging Materials
Logistics
The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, from 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in Georgia Tech’s Global Learning Center. A networking lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m. Poster sessions will also be held throughout the day.
Fees and Registration
Registration is $80.00 per person – Registration deadline: Thursday, May 31, 2012. The registration fee includes all workshop materials, conference presentations, refreshments, and the Luncheon on June 5. Workshop seating is limited to 125 participants, so please register early!
For more information and to register, please visit: www.marc.gatech.edu/events/dpac
