JONESBORO – Arkansas State University (A-State) has received $2.1 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and manufacturing research at its Center for Advanced Materials and Steel Manufacturing (CAMSM).
The project, led by Dr. Robert (Drew) Fleming, associate professor of mechanical engineering, aims to expand the university’s research potential and strengthen ties to the region's growing steel industry.
Co-principal investigators on the project include 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 enable the acquisition of advanced equipment, including a GPU-accelerated high-performance computing (HPC) cluster for AI and machine learning research, a Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator to replicate industrial steel processing conditions, and additional Thermo-Calc software libraries for thermodynamic modeling and AI-assisted alloy design.
“This award enhances our ability to expand research in metals and materials while boosting A-State’s physical and computational infrastructure,” said Dr. Travis Marsico, vice provost for research, innovation, and discovery.
Dr. Fleming emphasized the significance of the investment, noting how the resources will contribute to regional industry growth. “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,” he said. He also expressed appreciation for support from U.S. Representative Rick Crawford, which helped secure the funding.
The enhanced research capacity will provide students with practical experience in advanced manufacturing technologies, support faculty in materials development and steel processing research, and foster collaboration with steel manufacturers and supply chain companies on industry challenges.
According to Dr. Fleming, the investment underscores the university’s role as a vital partner for the steel industry, particularly given its proximity to the growing steel manufacturing corridor in the Arkansas Delta. “Federal investment in our research growth on materials and steel is critical. A-State is now more than ever leveraging its location,” he said.
The resources will also position CAMSM to better align university research and workforce development with the needs of Arkansas’ steel sector, a critical driver of the region's economy.