Keynote Speakers

Dr. Christopher J. Saldaña

Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO)

"Manufacturing innovation for America’s clean energy future"

ABOUT THE KEYNOTE TALK:
In this talk, we will explore the pivotal role of new materials and manufacturing innovations in bolstering America's clean energy future. Emphasizing the enhancement of supply chain resilience and industrial competitiveness, we will highlight how cutting-edge technologies can drive sustainability in the clean energy sector. We will delve into specific advancements in material science and manufacturing processes that are transforming the industry, ensuring long-term economic and environmental benefits. We will discuss opportunities for collaboration with the Department of Energy, providing insights into how stakeholders can engage in and benefit from these technological advancements. Join the conversation to discover how materials and manufacturing innovation is shaping a sustainable and competitive clean energy economy for the future.

ABOUT THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Dr. Christopher Saldaña is the Director of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) at the United States Department of Energy (DOE). AMMTO is the lead office at DOE for research, development, and demonstration of innovative new materials and manufacturing technologies needed to increase U.S. industrial competitiveness in the energy sector and to drive economy-wide decarbonization. As Director, Dr. Saldaña manages development and execution of the DOE’s manufacturing innovation portfolio strategy and interagency collaboration efforts in areas that include, but are not limited to, smart manufacturing, critical materials, battery manufacturing, semiconductor processing, advanced composites, net shape manufacturing, circular economy, and manufacturing workforce development. Dr. Saldaña currently serves as the co-chair of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Critical Minerals Subcommittee, is an associate editor for the ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering and is on the editorial boards of Manufacturing Letters, Computer Aided Design and Applications, and the ASTM Journal of Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing. Prior he served as the Ring Family Professor at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech and the Harold and Inge Marcus Career Assistant Professor at the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University.

Federico Sciammarella

Chief Technology Officer
MxD (Manufacturing times Digital)

"Achieving manufacturing resilience"

BIO:
Federico Sciammarella is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at MxD (Manufacturing times Digital). His role involves managing a portfolio of emerging technologies and fostering academic engagement to bridge the gap between early-stage research and industry application. The main objective of this initiative is to expedite the development and implementation of new technologies, with industry collaboration, to drive innovation and increase competitiveness within the industry. Federico is also involved in MxD's collaborations with the Department of Defense (DoD), contributing to projects aligned with the DoD's strategic objectives, such as developing applications for defense logistics and process certification.

Federico was previously an associate professor at Northern Illinois University, where he directed the Advanced Research in Materials and Manufacturing for more than ten years, which generated over 2.5 million dollars in funding and created a launch pad for many students and technologies in advanced manufacturing. He has many publications and patents for laser-assisted machining and additive manufacturing applications. His experience creating research, which always focused on industry applications, fits perfectly into the MxD mission of providing value to its membership.

Federico received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Metallurgy and Material Science Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is deeply passionate and excited about shaping the future. His vision and dedication inspire hope for the industry's potential. 

Penn State Keynote Speakers

TALK TITLE

"(Re)Focusing on the human dimension: How immersive technologies and human centered design can advance materials research"

Jessica Menold

Jessica Menold
Associate Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering


"(Re)Focusing on the human dimension: How immersive technologies and human centered design can advance materials research"
 

Jessica Menold is an Associate Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. She is the Director of the Center for Immersive Experiences in the Institute for Computational Data Sciences and the Director of the Technology and Human Research in Engineering Design (THRED) group. Her research explores the intersections between humans and advanced technologies, specifically within the context of product, systems, and process design, and has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the RK Mellon Foundation, and through private industry. 

 

,

Scarlett Miller

Scarlett Miller
Professor in Engineering Design and Manufacturing

"(Re)Focusing on the human dimension: How immersive technologies and human centered design can advance materials research"

Scarlett Miller is the Paul Morrow Professor in Engineering Design and Manufacturing. She is the Director of the Cocoziello Institute for Real Estate Innovation and is the Director of the Bridging Research in Technology, Innovation, and Engineering lab (britelab). Professor Miller is an interdisciplinary and highly collaborative researcher focused in engineering design, VR/AR, AI/ ML, robotics, and simulation technology. Her work includes collaboration across academic boundaries, working with colleagues across engineering disciplines, as well as in psychology, health and human development, information sciences, and medicine. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation (including CAREER), the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of State, and the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center.