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NSF SMART Center

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About

Who We Are

The SMART Center is a new NSF IUCRC in AI-based smart manufacturing. We primarily serve manufacturers employing automated mass production lines (e.g., automotive, aerospace, and electronics).

What We Do

We engage in precompetitive fundamental and applied research on AI-based smart manufacturing relevant to industry needs.

An image of an AI-based smart manufacturing robotic assembly line

What is an IUCRC?

Industry University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRCs) are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as collabor­ative efforts among universities, large and small companies, local, state and federal government agencies, and other organizations for the purpose of conducting pre-competitive research of shared value. This model has been successfully utilized and refined for over 40 years. The IUCRC Program’s objectives are to grow U.S. innovation capacity by developing long-term partnerships among academia, industry, and government, and to leverage NSF funds with industry to support and train the next generation workforce within a global context.

An image of a graduation cap, factory, and government building in a clip art style, representing the partnership among academe, industry, and government.

NSF provides the centers’ administrative and operational framework, networking opportunities, and more.

Members pool their funds together to conduct pre-competitive research, meeting two times per year and collectively voting to recommend which projects to fund.

Members gain…

  • Access to faculty, students, and center resources at all sites along with free consulting from faculty.

  • Access to free training and certificate programs on various manufacturing subjects for their employees.

  • Rights to royalty-free, non-exclusive licenses to center-generated intellectual property.

SMART Center Program Structure: Three Pillars

A Venn-Diagram Illustrating the Three Pillars of the SMART Center Structure

Research on AI-Based
Manufacturing

  • Manufacturing productivity
  • Product quality
  • Factory sustainability
  • Workspace safety

Workforce Training
Program

  • 15+ technical training courses with online video modules
  • Employees of Full and Associate members can access the online modules and receive certificates

Graduate
Education

  • AI/Manufacturing related coursework
  • Support faculty in training module development