Events
AAF Entrepreneurship Awareness
Tuesday, December 17th, 2024
America's Additive Foundry, in partnership with America Makes, successfully hosted an awareness and entrepreneurship event in Brownsville, Texas. During the event, AAF's Director of Business Development highlighted the organization's accomplishments in 2024 and unveiled ambitious plans for business incubation and economic development in 2025, setting the stage for continued growth and innovation.Building the Guide to 21st Century Talent
Tuesday, November 19th, 2024
America's Additive Foundry, in collaboration with America Makes, hosted a transformative session bringing together manufacturing executives, trainers, HR professionals, and workforce partners. This initiative focused on shaping the future of 21st-century talent by addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within the region. Participants contributed their expertise to develop a comprehensive workbook designed to help manufacturers enhance their recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention strategies, fostering a more capable and resilient workforce.BEST Robotics
Saturday, November 16th, 2024
BEST Robotics was one of the most significant events hosted at UTRGV, bringing together high school and middle school teams from across the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. The competition challenged students to design and build robots capable of thriving in a Mars-like environment. This initiative provided schools with an incredible opportunity to compete at the National Robotics Tournament, with top-performing teams advancing to the finals in Dallas, Texas, to vie for the State Championship. The event fostered community engagement and inspired the next generation to explore and pursue opportunities in STEM fields.AAF Annual Meeting
Tuesday, November 1st, 2024
Members of America's Additive Foundry gathered at the University of Houston to discuss the Consortium's recent achievements and to strategize future roadmaps. The meeting focused on advancing business development, enhancing workforce training, and driving progress in research and development, highlighting the collective commitment to innovation and growth in the additive manufacturing industry.
Wednesday, June 12th, 2024
UTRGV I-Dream4D/AAF hosted Dr. Amir Mostafaei on Wednesday, June 12, from 3:00-4:00 PM in EASFC 1.316J. He discussed "Recent Advancements in Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Processes," covering the latest developments and challenges in powder-based AM techniques. Dr. Mostafaei, an assistant professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, specializes in advanced manufacturing processes and has a notable research background in this field.ORNL Leaders Inspire Future Scientists at UTRGV with Vision for a Sustainable Future
Friday, May 17th, 2024
Dr. Robert Wagner, along with his colleagues from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, presented "Building a Sustainable Future Through New Perspectives, More Science, and Disruptive Surprises" at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The event, part of the CA²REERS Consortium Invited Speaker Series, attracted over 200 high school students and showcased ORNL's internship opportunities, research collaborations, and career development programs. The session aimed to inspire and educate students about the vast educational opportunities available at ORNL.
UTRGV Hosts Seminar on Army Research Opportunities
Thursday, April 18th, 2024
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's America’s Additive Foundry (AAF) Consortium hosted a seminar featuring Dr. Michael Bakas, Material Scientist and U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory South Regional Site Lead. Held at the UTRGV Edinburg Campus, the seminar focused on 'Basic Research Opportunities from the Army Research Laboratory.'
Dr. Bakas discussed funding opportunities available through the Army Research Laboratory's Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), including awards and programs supporting extramural research. He emphasized the Army Research Laboratory’s mission to drive modernization through foundational scientific research aimed at "operationalizing science for transformational overmatch."
This event is part of AAF Consortium's efforts to position the South Texas Region at the forefront of defense manufacturing and innovation. We thank Dr. Bakas for his insights and contributions. Stay tuned for more from the AAF Consortium Invited Speaker Seminar Series!
UTRGV Awarded DOD Grant to Enhance Defense Manufacturing Education
Friday, November 3rd, 2023
On November 3rd, 2023, UTRGV hosted the inaugural meeting of the America's Additive Foundry (AAF) Consortium, funded by a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. The consortium aims to secure vital defense metals through advanced manufacturing, focusing on research, technical support, business development, and workforce training. Dr. Jianzhi (James) Li emphasized the initiative's role in revitalizing U.S. manufacturing and creating educational and job opportunities for UTRGV students and the community. The program plans to engage 20 college students in its first year and train up to 80 over five years. Dr. Farid Ahmed highlighted the growing support for manufacturing activities, preparing UTRGV graduates to lead the future workforce.