Here is today's summary of economic development news, a free service of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, representing Alabama's private sector investment in economic development. If you enjoy NewsFlash, thank an
EDPA Partner.
NASA Marshall advances 3-D printed rocket engine nozzle technology
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Engineers at NASA's
Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama have developed and tested a new 3-D printing technique to make rocket engine nozzles in a way that greatly reduces costs and development time.
The nozzles, which operate in extreme temperatures and pressures as the rocket engine fires, are extremely complex and expensive to manufacture.
The new NASA-patented technology has the potential to slash build time for this critical component from several months to several weeks.
NASA and ASTM International, a global standards organization, have selected Auburn University for two new partnerships that will spur technological advances in additive manufacturing, also known as 3-D printing.
Auburn, expanding upon its existing relationship with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, has formed the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence. It already has more than 40 industry and government collaborators.
The center, which will be housed within Auburn's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, will conduct research on improving the performance of parts that are created using additive manufacturing, share research results with industry and government collaborators and respond to workforce development needs in the additive manufacturing industry.
LIVINGSTON, Ala.-The University of West Alabama has joined with AT&T to announce the slate of speakers and featured panelists for the Alabama Summit on Rural Technology, set for April 13 on the UWA campus.
The event features a broad slate of experts who bring unique perspectives to address rural Alabama's need for an enhanced technology infrastructure.
Event coordinators expect the program and expertise that will gather to be a tremendous step forward in economic development, education, and overall quality of life for rural Alabamians.
Deadline approaching to get AdvantageSite pre-consultation checklist
Don't miss the opportunity to possibly have an AdvantageSite in your community!
The pre-consultation checklist, which determines what AdvantageSite applications will be accepted in 2018, will remain on
the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama's website through March 31. Click here for the link.
AdvantageSite is a voluntary industrial site preparedness program created in order to make the state more competitive for companies considering a location in Alabama.
Since the program's start in 2008, 29 projects have located on AdvantageSites across the state, investing more than $1.3 billion and creating over 6,000 new jobs.
The program is jointly sponsored by the Alabama Department of Commerce, Spire, Alabama Power Co., the North Alabama Industrial Development Association, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, and coordinated by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. Representatives from each of the entities participate
actively in application reviews and on-site visits to prospective AdvantageSite designees.