Representatives from UNM and Sandia National Laboratories gathered Wednesday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Advanced Materials Laboratory, a center for collaborative research in technical developments.
The laboratory offers an environment for UNM students and faculty to work with Sandia members, allowing accessible space and equipment for both institutions.
“We’re here to celebrate the success of a vision that has become a reality over the past 10 years,” said Michele Grenrich, Science and Technology property manager.
The laboratory is located at the Science and Technology Park, a group of eight buildings housing UNM start-up companies Zia Laser and Enlight Solutions along with the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Engineering Company.
The celebration included building tours and speakers from the School of Engineering, Sandia Labs and the Alliance for Transportation Research Institute, each addressing the benefits of having UNM contacts.
“We are proud of our students,” said Alliance for Transportation Research director Judith Espinosa. “Sixty students in the last seven years have finished their degrees working with us.”
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The institute is one of the representatives of the Advanced Materials Laboratory, specializing in the performance and economics of materials used in constructing facilities.
“We are incorporating an educational institution with the business industry,” Espinosa said.
Currently, the laboratory allows job opportunity and educational advancements for UNM students in a variety of development.
“All students are supported here,” said Joe Cecchi, School of Engineering dean. “Over these 10 years Sandia has increased its participation in education.”
The University and Sandia create partnerships through subcontracts addressing developmental agreements, with all the funding run through the Department of Energy. Students are hired to fill positions required by Sandia projects and are paid through UNM.
“With respect to research education, we are creating economic well-being for the state,” said William Hammitter, manager for the ceramic material research department. “Of the 100 or so students employed, I always see 30 or 40 here.”
Ceramic material research is one of the components of the laboratory. Engineering professor C. J. Brinker has been leading a group of students in the study of molecular-based approaches to building ceramic materials. Microengineering earned Brinker and his research team the Collegiate Inventors Award in 2001.
“Working with the National Labs gives students experience and a pathway to employment that is tailored with education,” Brinker said.
The laboratory’s location also is convenient for the researchers.
“The facility is right near campus for convenient access, and almost all my projects are collaborative with Sandia, said Tim Ward, chemical engineering professor.
Ward has been working with the laboratory since it’s formation.
Other projects in progress include work with optical lenses and microelectronics. Pratik Shah, UNM research scientist, was hired to build optical films.
“We have a good facility and good equipment that is all in the same building Shah said.”
