IMS Associates Program
Our Program
The IMS Associates Program has provided companies with limited direct and convenient access to the resources at the Institute of Materials Science for over thirty years. The Program facilitates relatively short-term projects in research, development, manufacturing, quality and production. Common requests include;
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troubleshooting of raw materials
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analysis of product and process difficulties
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failure analysis
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identification of contaminants
Such requests typically involve materials testing and/or faculty advice. Given IMS’ extensive materials characterization capabilities, the Program also provides a means of exploring new analytical instrumentation prior to purchase. Feasibility studies to investigate a new research platform and faculty brainstorming sessions are also possible. Initial studies are easily transitioned into longer term projects.
Our Facilities
IMS is home to a multi-million dollar laboratory complex of shared access instrumentation dedicated to materials characterization. It contains complete labs focused upon the more common materials characterization tools such as optical and electron microscopy, mechanical testing, x-ray diffraction, surface analysis, rheology, thermal analysis and spectroscopy. Each characterization lab is managed by research staff with many years of experience with the instrumentation and with the application of these techniques to industrial projects. Additional instrumentation is housed in the numerous research labs. Visit our facilities pages for more facilities details.
Our Expertise
The Institute has over one hundred faculty members from more than twenty academic departments including Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Polymer Science, Pharmacy, Molecular and Cell Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomaterials/Biosciences and the Health Center. These researchers are focused on developing materials to handle the engineering and technological challenges of tomorrow. A summary of specific research interests of the various IMS faculty members can be found in the IMS Annual Report. They provide an invaluable resource for advice and brainstorming. The Associates Program also provides a conduit to connect industry with appropriate UConn faculty and resources outside the Institute of Materials Science.
Through such outreach activities, IMS repeatedly provides companies with the expertise and analytical capabilities for solving critical and complex materials problems. Requests are accepted on a case-by-case basis; however, many companies have found the Institute to be an invaluable resource and opt to become an Associates Program member. This fosters a more intimate, long-term working relationship by which IMS grows to become an integral part of the company’s technical team and a problem solving partner. Members have an open invitation for their technical staff to attend IMS seminars, lectures and workshops. They also receive newsletters highlighting faculty research and new capabilities. Their more intimate knowledge of the research being conducted within IMS allows them to target graduate students as prospective employees on graduation. The resulting relationship between IMS and Program members affords each a better appreciation of the other's concerns thus strengthening IMS academic programs and providing industry with unique opportunities for addressing materials-based needs in a timely manner.
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Inquiries concerning the IMS Associates Program should be directed to:
To be added to our list for news and events, please email: rhonda.ward@ims.uconn.edu
Information about the Institute of Materials Science can be found at http://www.ims.uconn.edu/ |
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University of Connecticut |
