September 18
@
4:00 PM
–
5:00 PM
The ME 903: Graduate Student Lecture Series features campus and visiting speakers who present on a variety of research topics in the field of mechanical engineering. Michael Molnar (BSME ’85) is the founding director of the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office at NIST.
Presentation Title: The Federal Role in Accelerating Technology and Manufacturing Innovation
Abstract: The development of critical and emerging technologies plays a key role in U.S. national and economic security. Since the founding of our nation the role of the federal government has been clear on national security but a matter of considerable debate on the broader economic security. Beginning with Alexander Hamilton’s Report on Manufactures through Vannevar Bush’s Science, the Endless Frontier, to today – the principles of an innovation policy are clear. What though is the federal role in industrial policy with a free market system?
Several successful models have emerged, all having elements of partnership to support industry and academia. Manufacturing USA is an example of industry-led public private partnerships. Established as a program just ten years ago as applied research institutes on emerging technologies, these institutes feature mass collaboration of industry and academia on projects of technology acceleration, supply chain and workforce development. Some 18 institutes are currently in the national network with a new institute on Artificial Intelligence for Resilient Manufacturing planned this year. The talk concludes with briefly contrasting other engagement models, such as Operation Warp Speed, for accelerating technology.
Bio: Mike is the founding director of the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, the interagency team responsible for the Manufacturing USA network of applied research manufacturing innovation institutes. He also leads the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing and serves as co-chair of the National Science and Technology Council, Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing – the White House team responsible for the National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing. Prior to joining federal service in 2011 Mike had a successful industry career, including 25 years leading manufacturing and technology development at Cummins, a U.S. based global company that designs and manufactures engines and power generation products. Mike is a proud Badger, with two of his degrees from the University of Wisconsin – a Mechanical Engineering B.S. and one of the first graduates of the Manufacturing Systems Engineering Masters program.