Thank you to all of our partners who attended the AFRL Regional Network - Midwest annual meeting last month. We are grateful to our 78 members who provided impactful feedback about the Network and helped us to celebrate our accomplishments.

We are grateful to our two keynote speakers, Rich Vaia, Chief Scientist of the AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, and Joe Sinfield, Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Institute for Innovation Science at Purdue University, for delivering engaging and informative material.

We would also like to thank our three awardees who provided updates on the status of their projects: Carlo Scalo, CEO/President of Hysonic Technologies and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University; Paul Quayle, Vice President of R&D at Great Lakes Crystal Technologies; and Russell Kirk Pirlo, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering at University of Dayton.

IEEE-USA IWRC and the AFRL Regional Network - Midwest are bringing the CHIPS Act to South Dakota! The 2024 IEEE-USA Innovation, Workforce, and Research Conference (IWRC) will be held June 10-11, 2024 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, SD. The event consists of an evening reception followed by a day-long workshop, bringing together stakeholders from academia, government, and industry to bridge the gap between research and commercially viable products. Experts from the region and across the country will discuss research grants, technology transfer programs, start-up funding, intellectual property, and a host of other topics related to inspiring and empowering true innovation in the Dakotas and the Midwest.

More information and registration

New Employee Spotlight

The AFRL Regional Network - Midwest is excited to introduce our new Lead Administrative Assistant, Keaton Pugh! Keaton provides high-level administrative support for the Network by helping to coordinate events, track down information, draft and edit correspondence, facilitate communication with partners, and maintain financial records. What Keaton most enjoys about this position so far is the variety and flexibility. No two days are ever the same. One day can include coordinating catering options for upcoming events and the next can be sitting in on a research proposal for hypersonics. We are so happy to welcome Keaton to the team!

The University of Dayton is a top-tier research university that is number 1 in the nation for materials engineering research & development (R&D). The research arm of the university, the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), specializes in a variety of areas crucial to AFRL's mission, including advanced manufacturing, autonomy, hypersonics, materials, sensors, and structures & systems. UDRI ranks fifth in the U.S. for R&D sponsored by the DoD. The university also has strong ties to relevant industry and nonprofit partners, as GE Aviation and Copeland have built research and development centers on land owned by the University of Dayton. Students and researchers are able to collaborate with industry scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and transition new technologies to the marketplace.

Learn more about University of Dayton's research efforts

Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is accepting applications for its 2024/2025 program year. CDL is a non-profit organization offering a goal-oriented program for massively scalable, seed-stage, science-and technology-based companies. CDL has developed a fresh method for fostering research and innovation, cultivating an entrepreneurial outlook by providing expert guidance, funding prospects, research assessment, and assistance in business development. Companies that participate in the program get the following: Mentorship from entrepreneurs and angel investors Opportunities to raise capital Advice on technology roadmaps from world-renowned experts Business development support from top business school students The application deadline is Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Learn more and apply here

Upcoming Events

June 5-6, 2024: University Consortium with Space Force. Albuquerque, NM. June 10-11, 2024: IEEE-USA Innovation, Workforce, and Research Conference. Sioux Falls, SD. July 15-18, 2024: IEEE NAECON. Dayton, OH. Sept. 16-18, 2024: Air, Space, Cyber Symposium. National Harbor, MD. Oct. 13, 2024: ACS Midwest Regional Meeting. Omaha, NE. Dec. 8-9, 2024: North American Space Summit. Cape Canaveral, FL. If you will be attending any of these events and would like an opportunity to meet, please email us at afrlmwst@purdue.edu. We'd be happy to schedule dedicated time to meet with you! Click here for more upcoming event information.

Have you checked out the AFRL Regional Network - Midwest YouTube Channel? On this platform, partners have access to a variety of video content that includes:

• Funded project video reports
• Network promo videos
• Informative and instructional videos

Stay tuned to all of our social media channels as new content will be added frequently!

Tech Connect

Tech Connect is an exciting new AFRL tool that allows industry and academia to connect with and collaborate with AFRL scientists and engineers. The service provides access to open opportunities, identifies meet-up events, lists other DAF S&T enterprise connectors, and provides a way for anyone to share an idea. By filling out a simple form, you will be connected with AFRL S&Es that best match your research and capabilities. Be sure to include “Midwest Network” in your subject line.

Get Connected!

Partner with Us The AFRL Regional Network - Midwest is a unique opportunity to partner with the Air Force Research Lab. If you are interested in becoming a partner, please visit our Join Page for more information!

At the AFRL Regional Network – Midwest, we are dedicated to developing next-generation research and technology to support the Air Force mission by providing analysis, development, and testing capabilities that span multiple science and engineering disciplines. From propulsion to communications, materials to sensors, our research focuses on advancing mission capability and accelerating technology transitions throughout the life cycle of programs. At the Midwest Network, we understand the importance of collaboration in advancing technology and mission capability. We facilitate partnerships between industry and academia to develop new means to address the current and future needs of our customers.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR VISIT OUR FAQ PAGE.