Author: Davey

MEP Supplier Scouting

Manufacturers as well as federal, state and local agencies need critical products that are in short supply to ensure our nation’s health and safety as well as our national and economic security. Small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) are especially challenged with sustaining operations in light of current conditions. There is a widespread struggle to find domestic manufacturing suppliers to meet present needs.

Detailed Description:

The MEP National Network™ is able to connect U.S. manufacturers that have relevant production capabilities and capacities with other manufacturers – enabling them to fulfill current market and societal needs. We can then assist those manufacturers in actually delivering needed products. We are able to identify manufacturers’ production and technical capabilities and connect them with supply chains of larger companies and government agencies.

How MEP Supplier Scouting Can Help Find U.S. Manufacturers:

  • Locate Difficult-to-Source Products
  • Leverage the MEP National Network’s extensive relationships
  • Critical technical and process capabilities
  • Match production volume capacity
  • Prototyping and pilot run capability

How Much Does it Cost:

  • Free Connection Service Provided by the MEP National Network™

What to Expect:

If you would like assistance finding suppliers to meet state or local critical domestic production, please contact your local MEP Center. If you have a Supplier Scouting need or opportunity at the national level, please submit the form below.

Upon receipt of a request, NIST MEP makes an appropriate connection between the NIST labs and the MEP Center client. NIST lab staff typically begin by sharing technical expertise relating to the manufacturer’s issues. As the scope of the project takes shape, the specific needs are quoted or a CRADA is generated.

How to Get Started:

  •       Complete this form (LINK TO FORM)
  •       For more information, please contact NIST MEP’s Marion Walker at marion.walker@nist.gov or info@utah-mep.org
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Advanced Technology Service Desk

Struggling with an impossible technical problem limiting your competitiveness? Whether it is material, sensor, electronic, data, chemical, civil or mechanical, let us tap into our resources to bring you a solution.

HOW IT CAN HELP

  • Developing new products or enhancing old ones.
  • Seeking to enhance their data collection or data use
  • Product problems that could be solved with research
  • Marketing questions that could be gleaned from customers
  • Interest in teaming with the government and need help where to start

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Advanced Technology Team has direct contact or line-of-sight connections to the following resources:
MANUFACTURING USA: 16 Institutes funded with over $1B to help create collaborations to spur US Manufacturing Innovation.
FEDERAL LABORATORY CONSORTIUM: 350 facilities across the US spending $150B annually on R&D.
MEP NATIONAL NETWORK: Impact Washington is parts of a 51-state center network with over 1400 field staff to help solve process improvement and connect you to your next partner.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Understanding Connecting is free.

Other partners may charge.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

The process begins identifying the hurdle you are trying to overcome. It ends with a technical advice and a new connection.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Contact:  https://www.impactwashington.org/advanced-technology-service-desk.aspx

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MEP-Assisted Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR)

Get direct access to wide-ranging, world-class technical expertise available at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) research laboratories and user facilities.

HOW IT CAN HELP

  • Access to High-Accuracy Measurements
  • Insight into Market Applications
  • Find Ideas to Fuel Expansion into New Product
  • Employee Training on Advanced Manufacturing Techniques

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Get direct access to wide-ranging, world-class technical expertise available at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) research laboratories and user facilities. Since 2016, MATTR has successfully connected NIST technical experts with numerous MEP client manufacturing companies around the U.S. for meaningful technical assistance. Although not every technical problem submitted by MEP Centers has a solution at NIST, the MATTR staff make every effort to find NIST lab expertise appropriate to the company’s needs. When the solution is not found at NIST, the MATTR service provides guidance on where they might find useful non-NIST solutions.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

No funding is exchanged during the initial interactions. Fees based on scope of the project. MATTR interactions can involve the execution of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) where NIST MEP can cover up to $50,000 of extensive NIST staff consultation, special measurements, special tests and NIST user facility access.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

Upon receipt of a MATTR request, NIST MEP makes an appropriate connection between the NIST labs and the MEP Center client. NIST lab staff typically begin by sharing technical expertise relating to the manufacturer’s issues. As the scope of the project takes shape the specific needs are quoted or a CRADA is generated.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Complete the MATTR form – Link

For more information on MATTR, please contact NIST MEP’s Marlon Walker at marlon.walker@nist.gov or info@UtahMEP.org

More Information
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Medical Device Development

PDF-Medical-Device

Do you have an idea for a medical device? The Center for Medical Innovation at the University of Utah is the place to put your idea into motion.

HOW IT CAN HELP

The center creates a one-stop-shop environment that assists both the novice and experienced innovator through ideation, concept generation, intellectual property, market analysis, prototyping and testing, business plan development, and commercialization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

By combining industry-leading experts from engineering, medicine, business, law and commercialization, the Center for Medical Innovation can provide formal education programs, resources for prototyping and business creation, and facilitation of real-world feedback for successful device development and commercialization.

Building on the University of Utah’s fundamental legacy of pioneering medical innovation, the vibrant innovation ecosystem within the Center for Medical Innovation has produced hundreds of new medical devices and digital health care applications since its inception in 2012.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Dependent on Scope of Work

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

The Center primarily services the innovation coming from the University research and medical staff, but they can help other outside the university.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Contact the Center at:

https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/center-for-medical-innovation

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Medicred

Get ahead of the curve by achieving MedAccred audited output from a given process or product. OEMs and their suppliers will increasingly be required use MedAccred certified suppliers.

HOW IT CAN HELP

The MedAccred audit verifies a Medical Device supplier has the following:

  • Critical process capability
  • Necessary equipment
  • Appropriate controls
  • Qualified personnel
  • Process validation
  • Sub-tier controls

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Just like MedAccred, the Nadcap program is administered by the Performance Review Institute (PRI). Nadcap was established in 1990 by SAE International. Nadcap’s membership consists of “prime contractors” who coordinate with aerospace accredited suppliers to develop industry-wide audit criteria for special processes and products. Nadcap certification is now required by all aerospace OEMs for metal finishing and treatment processes such as heat treating, welding, chemical processes, and coatings. MedAccred will eventually become the same type of required certification, which will be needed to quote all new work.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

$5-10K fixed fee, depending on process

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

Critical Process Assessment (Pre-Assessment Audit) is conducted to the MedAccred audit criteria used in an accreditation audit. The time for the Critical Process Assessment is the same as the accreditation audit, typically two to four days.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Sign up for a free consultation at: www.medmmap.org

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Nano Fab

The Utah Nanofab brings together experienced researchers, engineers and scientists with backgrounds in nano-fabrication, nano-scale surface analysis, and industrial process design.

HOW IT CAN HELP

The Lab provides core services in Surface Analysis and Nanofab Process Development.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Surface Analysis Lab
The Surface Analysis Lab is the Utah Nanofab’s analysis branch. It is home to the 5,000-square-foot microscopy suite containing optical, electron, and ion microscopes.
Utah Nanofab Cleanroom
The Utah Nanofab Cleanroom is the Utah Nanofab’s fabrication and process design branch. Our class 100/1000/10,000 cleanroom provides world-class equipment for lithography, deposition, etching, packaging, and more.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Dependent on Scope of Work

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

We would be happy to talk with you and your organization about how we can provide access to the tools or experts you need to engineer successful and reliable fabrication processes. Please browse our processes page at: https://www.nanofab.utah.edu/processes

or contact our staff to find out more.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Contact the staff at: https://www.nanofab.utah.edu/lab-staff/#process

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Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

Do you need to understand the fundamental Thermodynamic and kinetic properties of materials critical to your success?

HOW CAN IT HELP

  • Percent (%) crystallinity of polymers
  • Heat capacity of materials
  • Thermodynamic and kinetic properties of materials
  • Basic phase transitions such as melting, crystallization, glassy transition, evaporation, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A thermoanalytical technique in which the difference in the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample and reference is measured as a function of temperature. Both the sample and reference are maintained at nearly the same temperature throughout the experiment. Generally, the temperature program for a DSC analysis is designed such that the sample holder temperature increases linearly as a function of time.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Typically $34 per hour, plus assistance if needed.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

The unit is located at MCE 1325 (110 Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112). Schedule a time to use the equipment with the MCE Dept and request assistance if required.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Review training at:

https://mcl.mse.utah.edu/equipment/netzsch-3500-sirius

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D2 Phaser | Bruker

The Benchtop X-ray Powder Diffraction uses X-ray diffraction on powder or microcrystalline samples for structural characterization of materials

HOW IT CAN HELP

  • Approximate particle sizing for nano-powders
  • Determine directionality in textured films and solids
  • Ideal for powders analysis
  • Phase identification and analysis of minerological samples

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specifications:

  • 2θ range from -5° to 150°
  • φ rotation 360°
  • State-of-the-art Lynxeye detector with 192 channels

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Typically $35 per hour plus assistance if needed.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

The unit is located at MCE 1325 (110 Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112). Schedule a time to use the equipment with the MCE Dept and request assistance if required.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Review training at:
https://mcl.mse.utah.edu/equipment/bruker-d2-phaser

Click here for more information
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Tabletop Instron

Characterizing material properties for quality control and R&D laboratories, including: tensile, compression, shear flexure and fatigue/fracture. Maximum Capacity: 50kN (5,000 kg, 11,250 lb)Test Speed Range: 0.001 to 600 mm/min (0.00004 to 24 in/min).

HOW IT CAN HELP

  • Tensile testing of polymers
  • Compression testing of ceramics
  • Hardness testing
  • Elastomer strain cycling
  • Polymer film puncture resistance and strength

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specifications

  • Dual column tabletop testing system
  • Tensile, Compression, and Flexure methods and fixtures
  • Capacity from 5 N (1.1 lbf) to 50 kN (11,250 lbf)
  • Speed from 0.001 mm (0.00004 in) to 600 mm (24 in) /min
  • Available fixtures
  • 50 kN max wedge action grips
  • 10 kN max 3-point bend assembly
  • 50 kN max compression platens
  • 4.4 kN max puncture test assembly
  • Smooth and rough capstan grips
  • Vickers and Knoop hardness testers
  • 1 in guage length extensometer
  • Uses Bluehill Universal testing software

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Typically $53 per hour plus assistance if needed.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

The unit is located at MCE 1325 (110 Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112). Schedule a time to use the equipment with the MCE Dept and request assistance if required.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Review the Use Instructions at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lky-iSO2CXg&feature=youtu.be

Click here for more information
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X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD)

XRD is a non-destructive technique used for the identification of a crystalline phase or mineral. It can also provide information on structures, preferred crystal orientation, and other structural parameters, such as average grain size and strain distribution.

HOW IT CAN HELP

  • Determination of amorphous content in organic or semi-organic materials
  • Mineral content determination of whole or powdered geological samples
  • Analysis of thin films such as tape-cast ceramics and vapor-deposited layers
  • Approximate particle sizing of nanomaterials

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specifications:

  • Thin film detector for low-angle measurements
  • Powder angle range of 10° to 150° 2θ
  • Variable x-ray footprint with exchangeable fixed slits
  • Kβ filtration by nickel
  • Variable tension and current between 30 kV and 10 mA to 60 kV and 40 mA
  • Ambient temperature and pressure scanning

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Typically $61 per hour plus assistance if needed.

See Current Rates: https://mcl.mse.utah.edu/equipment/philips-panalytical-xpert

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

The unit is located at MCE 1325 (110 Central Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112). Schedule a time to use the equipment with the MCE Dept and request assistance if required.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Review training and contact rates at: https://mcl.mse.utah.edu/equipment/philips-panalytical-xpert

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