Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center
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Materials Characterization Lab |
During the summer of 2006, a group of faculty from four CST departments, Physics, Geology, Chemistry and Engineering Technology, working the CST Dean’s office and our Campus External Affairs office, developed a proposal for a new program to educate students, promote interdisciplinary research, and help regional companies solve their materials science and engineering challenges. The proposal was reviewed by the State as part of the biennial funding process and found to be an exciting and innovative idea. The State agreed to fund our new center at $1.2 million annually, beginning in July of 2007. Thus was born, the Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center (AMSEC).
Summer of 2007 brought with it a flurry of activity surrounding this new program. The AMSEC Executive Board (David Patrick, Director of AMSEC and faculty member in Chemistry; Brad Johnson, Physics; Bernie Housen, Geology; Steve Dillman, Engineering Technology; Mark Bussell, Chemistry; Steve Emory, Chemistry; Kathy Kitto, CST Associate Dean and faculty member in Engineering Technology; and Sue Hoidal, Assistant to the Dean) held weekly meetings to develop internal structures, policies and procedures, curriculum for a new minor degree in materials science, and recruitment plans for three faculty and two staff.
AMSEC will have faculty whose research includes biosensors, nanomaterials, optoelectronics, polymers and composites, organic electronics and geophysics, just to name a few. Students in this program will be highly trained professionals ready for graduate study or positions in industries ranging from aerospace to microelectronics, alternative energy, and biotechnology.
AMSEC will also operate a state-of-the-art Materials Characterization Laboratory, serving a broad cross-section of users both on and off campus. AMSEC will help businesses compete through collaborative problem solving, developing new technologies, scientific and technical advising services, and providing access to advanced instrumentation.
We look forward to watching this exciting program develop!
College of Sciences and Technology
Bond Hall, Room 437
360.650.6400 office
360.650.2335 fax
HIGHLIGHTS
is a publication of the
Western Washington University
College of Sciences and Technology
Designer: Jennifer Mott
Editor: Susan Hoidal
Contributors: CST staff
