[Image above] An artist’s rendering of a hypersonic vehicle. Credit: NASA
WESTERVILLE, OHIO—On Jan. 8, 2024, the Department of Defense Cornerstone Consortium under the DOD Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program and the National Imperative for Industrial Skills initiative awarded The American Ceramic Society a contract to develop a sustainable, targeted, workforce training program on the science and engineering of materials for hypersonic applications.
The program will focus on ultrahigh-temperature ceramic materials, ceramic matrix composites, and, where used in combination with advanced ceramics, carbon/carbon composites, refractory metals, and cermets. Subject matter experts will develop full-day tutorial sessions for delivery in environments compliant with International Traffic in Arms Regulations, as well as half-day tutorial sessions for delivery over an online distance learning platform.
“ACerS has a long tradition of supporting the ceramic and glass industry with continuing education. This program will allow the Society to extend its valuable skills training to those working in the hypersonics industry,” says Mark Mecklenborg, ACerS executive director.
The American Ceramic Society, a 501(c)(3) professional organization, will partner with the United States Advanced Ceramics Association (USACA), a 501(c)(6) trade association, on the effort.
“This ACerS–USACA partnership fills a critical knowledge gap for engineers, designers, technicians, and allied personnel working with these materials,” says Ken Wetzel, USACA executive director.
The first course under this program took place at the Composites, Materials & Systems Conference in St. Augustine, Fla., on Jan. 21, 2024. Purdue University professor Rodney Trice taught the one-day short course. A second one-day, in-person course is planned for early summer 2024. Two half-day virtual courses on ceramic-based materials for extreme environment applications are in development.
Questions and queries to get involved in the program can be directed to Amanda Engen, ACerS director of communications and workforce development, at aengen@ceramics.org.
About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for ceramic and materials scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students. The Society serves more than 10,000 members from more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.ceramics.org.
About USACA
Founded in 1985, the U.S. Advanced Ceramics Association champions the business interests of the advanced ceramic producers and end-users. Its members range from the largest U.S. industrial companies to smaller corporations dedicated to the manufacture of advanced ceramic products. For more information, visit https://advancedceramics.org.
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