NCMR Industry Workshop and Focus Group

On November 1, NCMR hosted a day-long Workshop/Focus Group Meeting to explore new connections between fluids and combustion research and the needs of industry. Approximately 100 participants from industry, NASA, NCMR and academia were involved.

The meeting attracted participation by a diverse group of companies and organizations, including Ford Motor Company, Teledyne Continental Motors, GE Aircraft Engines, Sandia National Laboratory, Motorola, United Technologies Research Center, Lubrizol Corporation, AlliedSignal, North American Manufacturing Company, McDermott Technology, Inc., A.O. Smith, New Technology Industrial Center Inc., Tridelta Industries, Inc., ICI Paints, Nordson Corporation, Bowles Fluidics Corp., Unilever, Lockheed-Martin, Energy International, TRW, Inc., and BFGoodrich.

In the Workshop, participants were briefed on NASA's Microgravity Fluids and Combustion research programs and then engaged in an open discussion, to define an array of knowledge gaps and product and production process aspects where fluids and combustion research can be of benefit to industry.

Following the morning workshop's discussion, attendees split into five industry-led Focus Groups (Engine Combustion; Industrial/Appliance Burners and Furnaces; Paints, Films and Coatings; Biomedical/Food; and Space Applications) which further defined areas of potential industrial relevance for Fluids and Combustion research.

Based on the input received from industry at this meeting, NCMR is currently planning future workshops and activities to attract and involve a broad variety of industry sectors. If you are interested in participating in future activities, or would like more information on how NASA's fluids and combustion research can benefit your company, please contact NCMR's Industrial Outreach Program Manager, Ann Heyward, at (216) 433-8173 or at ann.o.heyward@grc.nasa.gov.

Photos from the Industry Workshop and Focus Groups [an error occurred while processing this directive]