To make some of the world’s most complex products, such as premium automobiles and commercial airplanes, South Carolina’s manufacturers use a wide variety of advanced materials. From plastics and optics to photonics and composites, these companies are constantly looking to utilize the latest technologies to ensure greater efficiency and durability.
To do this, it takes a true team effort. Through collaboration between original equipment manufacturers, suppliers and our state’s many universities and research institutions, Team South Carolina is able to remain on the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing.
This week, these efforts achieved a major boost as the National Science Foundation awarded 10 universities across the state with a $20 million, five-year grant. Tasked with further developing research and education regarding South Carolina's burgeoning advanced materials industry, the grant establishes a new, statewide initiative: Materials Assembly and Design Excellence in South Carolina, or MADE in SC.
“This is a big win for South Carolina’s advanced manufacturing industry,” said S.C. Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt. “Growing our talent pipeline and ramping up our ability to invent new components that will help companies create faster, lighter, more durable products is smart business.”
Specifically, this new funding will allow Team South Carolina to hire 17 new researchers over five years at five different institutions. Participating in the initiative are the University of South Carolina (USC), Clemson, the Medical University of South Carolina, the College of Charleston, Furman, USC Beaufort, Winthrop, South Carolina State and Claflin. Florence-Darlington Technical College is also participating as a representative from the state’s technical school system.
Moving forward, as this new initiative progresses, we’ll be able to ensure that South Carolina’s advanced manufacturing industry is utilizing the very latest technology. And, as a result, our state will continue to supply the world’s consumers with innovative, complex products for years to come.