Johnson & Johnson 3-D Printing
Center of Excellence
HANDS-ON
LEARNING
The School of Engineering at
the University of North Florida provides hands-on learning in coastal
engineering, or in material science research and, for the past three year, in the
Johnson & Johnson 3-D Printing Laboratory.
This space provides cooperative
educational and research opportunities for University undergraduate and
graduate students as well as faculty researchers in the engineering, chemistry,
biology and physics disciplines.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION
This
partnership is an example of a public-private collaboration that helps meet northeast
Florida’s need for STEM professionals.
It provides a cutting-edge education to UNF students, preparing them for
careers in aeronautical, automotive and advanced manufacturing companies. Overall, the on-campus facility provides UNF students access equipment
and processes that would not be available without the support of Johnson &
Johnson and its employees.
PROFESSIONAL STAFF ON CAMPUS
An important additional resource comes from Johnson &
Johnson professional staff on campus. Having cutting edge 3D printing and
material analysis equipment and highly trained plus specialized J&J staff
on campus expands the research capacity of UNF in this field.
UNIQUELY UNF
Research from this partnership is unparalleled in
the state and, perhaps, the nation. The
partnership is integral to the University’s Advanced Manufacturing and
Materials Innovation (AMMI) Initiative, which the state of Florida has funded
at $855,000 per year. J&J has directly funded over $140,000 in research by
UNF faculty. In addition, J&J
directly contracts with UNF’s Materials Science and Engineering Research
Facility (part of AMMI). In 2017-2018,
alone this activity brought in more than $35,000 to CCEC.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
This
partnership allows our graduates to compete in the 21st century global economy,
which requires a strong workforce trained in modern manufacturing
techniques. 3D printing has the
potential to transform manufacturing industries. Because of the J&J
partnership, numerous supply-chain companies are now doing business in
Jacksonville. It is anticipated that students graduating with experience from
the J&J partnership will provide approximately 30 additional professionals
during the next five years, ready for positions that are crucial to
aeronautical, automotive and advanced manufacturing companies.
For more information on the Johnson & Johnson 3-D Printing Center, please visit: https://www.jnj.com/tag/3d-printing