Category: All

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
Download PDF

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

Download PDF

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

Download PDF

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

Download PDF
Download PDF

 

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

Download PDF

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
Download PDF

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
Download PDF

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

Download PDF

Engineering Capstone

The Capstone Design Program matches a team of motivated senior undergraduate mechanical engineering students with an engineering project defined and funded by an industry sponsor

HOW IT CAN HELP

  • You advance your project without requiring in-house resources
  • You get to know and evaluate students with specific interest in your company
  • Your company gains brand awareness with top-tier engineering students

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Capstone Design Program is part of the undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum, and follows a two-semester sequence. The program matches a team of motivated senior undergraduate mechanical engineering students with a multi-disciplinary project defined and funded by an industry sponsor.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

  • $17,500 for a team of four to six Engineers for two semesters
  • $5,000 is set aside for materials

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

Once a project is underway, the sponsor’s primary point of contact will be the project advisor, who is often a Mechanical Engineering Faculty member. An engineer from the industry sponsor is invited to serve as an advisor or co-advisor if they wish.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Submit a project at: https://www.mech.utah.edu/capstone/sponsors/

Download PDF

Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate

The Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate program is interdisciplinary and open to all matriculated College of Engineering graduate students or any matriculated or non-matriculated student who has a bachelor’s degree from a recognized engineering program or an allied science.

HOW IT CAN HELP

Topics covered include systems design and development, system test and evaluation, system reliability, system maintainability, human factors and system design, system producibility and supportability, balancing life-cycle cost, schedule, suitability and performance, risk management, and systems engineering project management and control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To obtain the certificate, students must complete 15 credit hours of approved course work with a 3.0 GPA or higher and minimum B- grade in the certificate courses.. The course work is made up of 9 hours of core courses, and 6 hours of electives. The 3 core courses provide engineers with a basic understanding of systems engineering and the ability to develop, analyze, and model systems of all kinds.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Program Dependent

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

Please review the guidelines in the MECHANICAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE ADVISING GUIDE at:  https://www.mech.utah.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Grad-Handbook-AY-2018-2019_04-15-19.pdf

HOW TO GET STARTED

Review the Forms and deadlines at: http://mech.utah.edu/academics/grads/

Download PDF