AMUG Gives Out Two Scholarships

The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) has named two scholarship recipients. Frank Marquette, professor of Practice at Troy University (Troy, AL), has been awarded the Randy Stevens Scholarship for educators in additive manufacturing. Akila Udage, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in architectural science with research focusing on additive manufacturing for lighting at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY), has been awarded the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship for students in additive manufacturing.

As scholarship recipients, Marquette and Udage will attend the AMUG Conference and have the chance engage with additive manufacturing users. They will take the stage to present their work on Monday, April 4, 2022. The AMUG Conference will be held in Chicago April 3-7, 2022.

The scholarships recognize students and educators who demonstrate passion and vision for additive manufacturing to advance education and industry, according to AMUG. 

“It is amazing to see how our scholarship applicants are applying 3D printing to change the world,” says Brett Charlton, chair of the AMUG Scholarship Committee. “Every year, there are new applications, new stories, and new ideas that show another level of how AM is leaving its footprint on our world.”

“This year's scholars are using 3D printing to advance education, the arts, construction, lighting, radio signaling, and heat dissipation, which are end-product applications, proving that additive manufacturing is more than just prototyping,” Charlton adds.  

Akila Udage became acquainted with additive manufacturing while pursuing his master's degree at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

“In an attempt to explore my newfound passion for AM, I chose 3D printed optics as my thesis topic,” Udage explains. As a graduate research assistant, Udage's work focused on integrating additive manufacturing into LED lighting systems. He has been analyzing the advantages and challenges of developing structural, thermal, electrical and optical components for LED systems using additive manufacturing.

Udage's efforts on 3D-printed optics focus on printing novel lenses for illumination applications. He has been involved in the characterization of 3D-printed reflective and transmissive optical components. He has also been developing 3D printed antennas and evaluating the effect of 3D printing properties on electrical traces. Udage has recently been involved in projects to build custom architectural lighting through 3D printing.

Frank Marquette had a career in manufacturing before entering higher education. Based in New Zealand, his company delivered projects ranging from automatic guided vehicles for Disney Imagineering ride systems to building sets for the motion picture industry, including “The Lord of the Rings.”

Marquette was awarded a professorship at Troy University in 2017, and he has been teaching design and the implementation of automation for fabrication and manufacturing. In 2020 he launched a minor and associate of science degree in 3D printing for art and industry. These courses begin with design fundamentals and offer applied learning experiences in the 3D printing lab. The program's emphasis is large-format printing and sustainable materials.

“From the start, we worked with KW Plastics, the world's largest plastics recycler, and established the first WASP (World's Advanced Saving Project) university hub in the United States. All of the collaborators for this work have a focus on sustainability and appreciate the value of industry and education working together,” says Marquette.

The 3D printing program attracts various students, from dance to computer science majors.

“It has been wonderful having students with different interests learning from each other's unique perspectives and strengths,” Marquette says. “Put an electronic engineering student on a project with a graphic design major and watch what happens.”

The latest front for Marquette and his students is 3D concrete printing, where he brings over 30 years of experience in concrete mix designs and a strong background in automation. “It's sort of a dream come true…concrete and AM,” says Marquette.

The Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship—founded by Guy's wife, Renee Bourdeau, and financially supported by Cimquest since 2019—is awarded annually to one college student. The Randy Stevens Scholarship, founded by Randy's former employer, In'Tech Industries, is awarded annually to one educator who focuses on additive manufacturing.

Image caption (Frank_Akila_headshots.jpg): Akila Udage (left), Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship recipient, and Frank Marquette, Randy Stevens Scholarship recipient.