Podcast Points: Pioneering at Baylor’s Point-of-Need Innovations Center
Brian Jordon, Ph.D., and Paul Allison, Ph.D., join Baylor Connections to discuss the advancement in materials, manufacturing and engineering at Baylor’s Point-of-Need Innovations Center
The Point-of-Need Innovations Center (PONI Center) in the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC) includes more than 5,000 square feet of laboratory space accommodating the ITAR laboratory, the Center for Microscopy and Imaging, and the Materials Testing & Characterization Core (MTCC). (Matthew Minard/Baylor University)
At the forefront of innovation, Baylor University’s Brian Jordon, Ph.D., The Kenneth and Celia Carlile Chair in Materials Science, and Paul Allison, Ph.D., director of Point-of-Need Innovations Center and professor of mechanical engineering, understand the impact their work has on a local, national and global scale.
The faculty members in Baylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science joined the weekly Baylor Connections podcast for a conversation about Baylor’s Point-of-Need Innovations Center, student involvement in their research and engineering and how strides toward friction-based additive manufacturing are changing the game for many industries.
Podcast Points with Brian Jordon, Ph.D., and Paul Allison, Ph.D.
Point-of-Need Innovations Center
- The Point-of-Need Innovations Center (PONI) serves as an interdisciplinary research and development center that works with governmental agencies like NASA, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and other industry collaborators to solve challenging problems related to materials, manufacturing parts, upcycling and recycling components to address issues in austere locations.
- Allison describes the usefulness of the innovation coming out of PONI in solving real-life problems. “We want to make this as fast as we can and it’s just good enough manufacturing... we can transition that to the warfighter and then they can complete their mission.”
Hands-on Student Learning
- A main component of PONI is the involvement of passionate students who take ownership of projects, become subject-matter experts and work in direct contact with governmental partners and industry collaborators to deliver timely, practical solutions.
- “The success of the project really is dependent on the students...our customers appreciate having students – that are passionate about the research – working on their projects,” Jordon said.
- One of the most rewarding aspects of their work is “walking with the students...to mentor them and watch them grow and mature as researchers” Jordon said.
Friction-based Additive Manufacturing
- PONI is pioneering friction-based additive manufacturing, which addresses challenges with materials that do not handle phase changes well, offering solutions in aerospace, military and manufacturing settings by creating and repairing components with lower material waste and in a shorter timeframe.
- Being at the forefront of innovation that reduces the problem of supply chain logistics and extends the life of products is exciting. “If you can repair these parts, the cost savings and the logistics of it are huge...we’re able to restore, repair components and do things that haven’t been done before as it pertains to some of these un-weldable metals,” Jordon said.
LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION
Listen to the full conversation with Brian Jordon and Paul Allison on the Baylor Connections podcast.
ABOUT BAYLOR CONNECTIONS
Baylor Connections with host Derek Smith goes in depth each week with Baylor leaders, professors and more, discussing important topics in higher education, research and student life. Baylor Connections airs on Fridays at 11 a.m. CT on KWBU 103.3FM in Waco. The podcast also is available online or by subscribing to Baylor Connections on iTunes.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.