Minutes of the Advanced Materials Sub-Cluster Workshop
June 16, 1999 (DRAFT 6/21/99)

The workshop was attended by 33 delegates from a wide range of materials related industries and agencies. (The attendance list is attached.). Fred Maryanski, Interim Chancellor-Elect, UConn, welcomed the attendees with the firm commitment of the University to support the industrial initiatives. Harris Marcus, UConn, went over the schedule for the day and he acted as a facilitator for the Workshop.

An extensive description of the cluster concept was presented by Rita Zangari, DECD. She presented a video that gave a broad overview of the cluster evolution followed by some specific information on the formation of sub-clusters that were now forming. She then discussed other state related resources that can assist the sub-cluster including Connecticut Innovations, CONNSTEP, etc. She indicated that when the Advanced Materials Sub-Cluster gets it initial plans organized that DECD is in position to financially assist in getting efforts started.

Douglas Rose, Aero Gear, Inc., described the efforts and details associated with establishment of the Aerospace Sub-Cluster. There are eight companies that are driving the sub-cluster. They defined several action areas with subcommittees. They initiated a jointpurchasing activity that quickly gave results that impacted cost and helped to keep the enthusiasmup. The other activities were longer term. They envision the sub-cluster growing and dividing into specific areas of common interest. He indicated that initially he was skeptical, but after he saw the advantages he has become an advocate of the cluster concept. The advantages of the companies working together so far outweigh the disadvantages that he is firmly committed to the concept.

The infrastructure and potential areas of benefits of forming an Advanced Materials Subcluster were discussed by Scott DeFelice, Oxford Polymers, and Martin Blackburn, Pratt & Whitney. The cluster should include all companies that define the "Value Chain" associated with the Advanced Materials Subcluster. Examples of both a polymer and metals related "ValueChains" were presented. "Innovation" was indicated as one of the key areas that the sub-cluster can address. As part of that promotion of innovation could be joint efforts at proposing federal funded programs such as ATP’s, SBIR’s and STTR’s.

Following the prepared talks and discussion on them a general discussion was held followed by the definition of action items to facilitate the moving forward of the Advanced Materials Sub-Cluster. The following were some of the many ideas and questions raised and discussed.

• The first and foremost discussion was what the Materials Sub-Cluster Objective(s) can and shouldbe. The earlier presentations gave a skeleton to build on for the Materials Sub-Cluster.

• A comprehensive list of the companies that may become involved in the Materials Sub-Cluster should be developed with clear identity of the companies interests and where they fit on the value chain.

• How broad should the Materials Sub-Cluster be and can a broad based effort meaningfully serve the companies involved.

• Are there specific legal problems associated with the formation of a Materials Sub-Cluster and subsequent joint activities. How are intellectual property matters handled.

• If the Materials Sub-Cluster is broken down into "sub-sub-clusters" what are the logical breakdowns. Should the breakdowns be by material discipline (Polymers, Metallurgy, Ceramics, Composites etc.) or by interdisciplinary subsets(biomaterials, structural materials, optoelectronic/electronic materials etc.).

• Discussions were on how to organize the Materials Sub-Cluster with an executive Board and subcommittees in the breakdown areas suggested.

• Other potential areas where the Materials Sub-Cluster would be useful included networking, interactions on standards, information on new materials approaches and processes, etc.

Following the extended discussion there was an almost unanimous approval by all those present for pursuing the next steps in developing the Materials Sub-Cluster. The following action items were then defined with the volunteers listed. It should be noted that the many volunteers willingly came forward to help in developing the effort recognizing that there was some time commitment.

The following action items were initiated:

1-First cut of a definition of what is a Materials Sub-Cluster. Arnie Grot (See below for his input.)

2-What would be necessary to organize on a broad based materials basis. Arun Prasad

3-The following subcommittees were formed to define the subareas goals.

A-Polymers: Scott DeFelice(Chair), Michael G. Polo and Robert Batson

B-Metals: Martin Blackburn (Chair), John Alexander, Edward Smith, Ray Slack and Dan Rosenthal.

C-Ceramics: Sam Boorse(Chair) with someone he recruits.

These groups were to meet to get informational input to the meeting of the Organizing Committee which will include all Chairs of the subcommittees.

4- The Organizing Committee should meet in about four weeks. Harris Marcus will make the contacts for date and location for mid to late July meeting.

Arnie Grot's input of a preliminary definition of the Materials Subcluster

At the June 16, 1999 kickoff session of the Materials Subcluster, I volunteered to provide a preliminary definition of the Materials Subcluster. What follows is a first draft of the definition and mission of the Materials Subcluster. I see the subculture as distinct from current clusters and

Subclusters in that we are materials focused. However, members of the subcluster will undoubtedly share the concerns and goals of other clusters such as the workforce development, progressive manufacturing and consolidated purchasing initiatives of the Aerospace subcluster.

This definition will undergo further refinement by our steering committee. Its basic purpose is to stimulate thought and discussion.

In service to the materials industry,
Arnie Grot
ASM Hartford Chapter Secretary

What is an Industry Cluster?

An industry cluster is when related and interdependent industries in a particular geographic area work collaboratively. Where implemented, clusters typically have brought great prosperity to surrounding communities by generating long-term economic stability. Cooperative efforts by business, government and education are essential to their continued success.

Connecticut's commitment to cluster-based development

Connecticut's industry cluster initiative challenges all sectors to collaborate in new ways. As the leader of the cluster initiative, the Governor’s Council is causing all of us to focus on competitiveness and innovation through investments in technology and people. At the same time, the Council is stressing the importance of energetically and creatively doing battle with the weighty forces of the "status quo." By stressing these multiple priorities, the Governor’s Council is challenging its members and all of us to come up with new, result-oriented strategies and then to Implement them with determination and speed.

What is the Materials Subcluster?

The Materials Subcluster is composed of companies, organizations, agencies and academia engaged in various aspects of these material classes:

The proposed mission of the Materials Subcluster is to increase the competitiveness of our state's materials industry through shared information about those currently engaged in this industry, benchmarks of best materials practices, holistic comparisons of potentially alternative materials applications and processes, identification and assessment of current strengths and weaknesses within the state's materials industry, and increased awareness of immerging material innovations. Members should be able to find the best source of materials and practices, improve efficiency and effectiveness of current materials and practices, and assess the impact of innovations to their industry.

A steering committee will plan, prioritize and focus initiatives for implementation. The Material Subcluster will build on the initiatives of similar (Oregon Key Industries, Pittsburgh area Digital Greenhouse) and related (Areo, Manufacturing) while remaining its distinct materials focus.