A-State Secures $2.1 Million Federal Award for AI-Driven Steel Research
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University has received a $2.1 million federal award from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to expand artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing capabilities at the Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing (CAMSM).
Led by Dr. Robert (Drew) Fleming, associate professor of mechanical engineering, the project will enhance A-State’s research infrastructure and support the region’s growing steel manufacturing sector.
The co-principal investigators (co-PIs) on the project are Dr. Yeonsang Hwang, interim dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science; Dr. Rajesh Sharma, director of civil, mechanical and engineering technology programs; and Dr. Mohammadreza Daroonparvar, assistant professor of materials engineering.
The funding will provide a graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated, on-premises high-performance computing cluster for artificial intelligence and machine learning research; a Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator capable of replicating industrial steel processing conditions; and additional Thermo-Calc software libraries for thermodynamic modeling and AI-assisted alloy design.
“Dr. Fleming and his team of collaborators are poised for success as we use these funds to build the physical infrastructure — the instrumentation and computational elements — to grow our research in the field of metals and other materials,” said Dr. Travis Marsico, vice provost for research, innovation and discovery.
Fleming echoed Marsico’s comments, noting that the project will help support the region’s growing steel industry.
“This funding substantially enhances our steel research and testing capabilities at CAMSM, while also advancing college-level initiatives to produce highly trained, steel-literate engineers to serve our regional industries and beyond,” Fleming said. “We appreciate Rep. Rick Crawford’s support for this project and expect that it will help grow industrial partnerships across northeast Arkansas.”
The new resources will give students hands-on experience with technologies used in advanced manufacturing while enabling faculty to pursue research in materials development, steel processing and data-driven manufacturing.
They will also create additional opportunities for steel manufacturers and supply chain companies to collaborate with A-State researchers on industry challenges.
The investment will further CAMSM’s role in connecting university research and workforce development with the needs of Arkansas’ steel industry.
“Federal investment in our research growth on materials and steel is critical. A-State is now more than ever leveraging its location. We are the only research university in the Arkansas Delta region, the same region as the new North American center of steel manufacturing,” Fleming said.
