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The Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing at Georgia Southern University announces a new partnership with Imerys. This partnership will jump-start the creation of a foundry-related division for the Mechanical Engineering department at the university. In support of the start-up, Imerys is donating an Induction Technology 75 KW coreless induction furnace. “This equipment will be an integral part of experiential learning for Georgia Southern’s Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering students. Both undergraduate and graduate students will have first-hand opportunities and relevant experience in assisting with the implementation of research and essential testing in metal casting,” commented Brian Vlcek, Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering professor and department chair at Georgia Southern. As a part of this technical partnership, the College of Engineering and Computing’s faculty, staff, and students will perform slag/metal erosion/corrosion refractory testing and Investment Casting (IC) shell testing for Imerys, to support their new product development initiatives in the coming years. Georgia Southern Assistant Professors, Mingzhi Xu, Ph.D. and Jingjing Qing, Ph.D., members of the Investment Casting Institute (ICI), will lead foundry related activities and utilize the donated equipment in current and future program needs plus research studies. Dr. Xu is committed to an education and research thrust in the area of metallurgy. Acquiring the induction melting system will enhance his activities in teaching, scholarship, and service. Xu is considering proposal development for courses on metal casting and steelmaking; this donated coreless induction furnace will be a key component. “In collaborative research with Imerys and other regional and national industries, undergraduate and graduate engineering students will be extensively involved,” said Xu. Dr. Jingjing Qing, assistant professor of Manufacturing Engineering, will also benefit from the donated equipment. Her cutting-edge research on cast iron and steel has been highly praised for nearly a decade. Qing currently teaches materials science course and investigates graphite growth in various cast irons. This partnership provides Georgia Southern’s engineering students an increased level of experience leading to high-performance in the IC/foundry industries, according to Scot Graddick, Technical Director of High-Temperature Industries (HTI) for Imerys/North America and Dave Tucker, Quality Manager for the Mulcoa plant. Projected results of this partnership should see students utilizing the equipment unit for testing innovation and opening creative opportunities for New Product Development (NPD). “As leaders in the refractory and IC raw materials industries, we are excited to have a local facility to do more in-depth testing and research work,” said Tucker. According to Graddick, “Due to the location of the ore body, in rural southwest Georgia (from which Mulcoa/Mulgrain products are derived), that is where Imerys’ Mulcoa plant is located. Through the years, it has been a challenge to entice talented engineers to relocate and work in the area. We realize that Georgia Southern has a diverse student base from all over the world, but we also realize that many students hail from rural parts of Georgia. If we can help the College of Engineering and Computing train engineering students in foundry/refractory -related activities, while, at the same time, introducing them to Imerys, this could certainly be a ‘win-win’ for both groups.” The Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing’s missions is to maintain a dynamic and evolutionary environment of excellence in teaching, research, and service in which students, faculty, and staff can achieve their professional goals. In these endeavors, the College will foster student-centric professional learning experiences utilizing advanced technologies applied with state-of-the-art equipment, inspire innovation and invention, encourage sustainability, and technically and economically enrich our communities and societies. Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving nearly 26,500 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders, and stewards in their communities. Visit www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu Imerys, a global organization offers a broad portfolio of aluminosilicate materials for Refractory producers and build upon our foundations to re-invest in meeting the new demands of our changing world. Pictured above left to right Scot Graddick and Dave Tucker. Pictured above left to right Scot Graddick and Dave Tucker.
Pictured above left to right Scot Graddick and Dave Tucker.