The Applied Science & Technology Research Organization (ASTRO) of America announced that it has been selected by Florida State University (FSU) to help establish the Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, and Education (InSPIRE), a major research and education center for the aerospace and defense industry in Northwest Florida.
As part of this partnership, ASTRO is relocating the headquarters of its AM Forward program to Panama City, Florida. This program, launched in 2022 by ASTRO President Neal Orringer and President Joe Biden, aims to improve supply chain resilience through the adoption of metal additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing.
“Florida State University is a national leader in aero-propulsion research,” said Orringer. “Together with ASTRO’s advanced manufacturing network and expertise, we will build a model public-private partnership to boost competitiveness for America’s aerospace and defense sector and ensure robust economic growth in America’s Gulf Coast Region.”
The InSPIRE center will feature a flexible and fully equipped production environment for advanced manufacturing. It will offer companies of all sizes the opportunity to utilize innovative manufacturing technologies and expertise, and will include test facilities such as a high-speed wind tunnel for hypersonic testing. This will enable manufacturers large and small to test and implement the latest technologies in production. In addition, the center will have customizable production cells, materials testing labs and learning spaces to support both research and education.
“This partnership between FSU and ASTRO America is a critical step in laying the foundation for InSPIRE to have a generational impact on the entire Northwest Florida region,” said InSPIRE Executive Director Farrukh S. Alvi, PhD. “InSPIRE will help pioneer some of the most advanced manufacturing capabilities, test and improve the manufactured products in world class aero-test facilities and create new opportunities for students and faculty to work with industry leaders, building on our expertise in research and engineering, fostering next generation innovation and cultivating prosperity in our communities for generations to come.”
Led by a team of manufacturing and aerospace research experts, InSPIRE enables industry representatives to work directly with FSU and ASTRO to advance aerospace engineering and energy systems and provide students with hands-on learning opportunities.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
3DPresso is a weekly newsletter that links to the most exciting global stories from the 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry.
