DC-MUSE PROPOSED NSF INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTER (IUCRC)

An Industry-driven research center on three convergent research pillars: electrochemical manufacturing, plasma manufacturing, and systems integration of electrified chemical processes with the grid.

We invite you to join us at DC-MUSE's IUCRC Planning Meeting. In this meeting we will present possible IUCRC research topics and projects, you will have the chance to meet peer organizations and discuss common pre-competitive research needs, you will learn about the IUCRC program from NSF program managers and you will have a chance to help define the future direction of DC-MUSE.

What? Planning Meeting for the creation of an IUCRC DC-MUSE

When? September 13 and 14th, 2023.

Where? NYU Tandon School of Engineering, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201

How? The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid mode. While we encourage in-person participation, you will have the option to participate remotely. Please RSVP using the link below.

How can I participate in the meeting? Any relevant member(s) of your organization. Feel free to forward the invitation to other members of your company or peer companies that may be interested. Multiple participants from a single organization are welcome to attend.

RSVP Here

Travel Info

WHAT IS AN NSF INDUSTRY UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTER (IUCRC)?

DC-MUSE aims to establish an NSF IUCRC to develop an industry-driven research portfolio with the goal of catalyzing the decarbonization of the chemical sector. The NSF IUCRC program provides a structure for academic researchers to conduct fundamental, pre-competitive research of shared interest to industry and government organizations. Participating organizations pay membership fees so that they can collectively envision and fund research, with at least 90% of Member funds allocated to the direct costs of shared research projects. Industry Members benefit by accessing knowledge, facilities, equipment, and intellectual property in a highly cost-efficient model; leveraging Center research outcomes in their future proprietary projects; interacting in an informal, collaborative way with other private sector and government entities with shared interests; and identifying and recruiting talent. NSF provides funding to support Center administrative costs and a governance framework to manage membership, operations, and evaluation.

HOW CAN MY ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATE?

Participation in the Sept 13-14th Planning Meeting is completely free, and we encourage you to register to learn more about DC-MUSE and how it can help your organization. Following the planning meeting, your organization will have the option to become a Full Member and gain access to all the IUCRC benefits. You can become a Full Member by contributing an annual membership fee of $85,000. Smaller organizations (<100 employees) have also the option to become Associate Members with an annual membership fee of $42,500. At a minimum, 90% of the membership fees will be used to support the direct cost of research. A membership fee for a Full Member is typically capable of funding the work of one Ph.D. student for one year. Full and Associate Members will form an Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) that will guide the research of the center and make funding recommendations for IUCRC projects.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR MY ORGANIZATION?

Leverage Research Dollars: earn higher return on investment with jointly funded research (A membership with $85K dues and 10 members leverages $1.1M annually, a 13:1 leverage!).
Lower Research Costs: Save internal research funds through access to facilities, infrastructure, reduced university indirect costs (<10%), and lower human capital costs.
R&D Risk Mitigation: Share risks of early-stage research with like-minded organizations.
Access to IP: Royalty-free, non-exclusive license to IP produced in the center.
Networking Opportunities: Learn from other members having similar technology interests.
Access to Skilled Recruits: Opportunity to mentor, train, and build relationships with students (25% of IUCRC students become employed by member companies)

WHAT IS THE RESEARCH SCOPE OF DC-MUSE’S IUCRC?

DC-MUSE’s IUCRC research scope was informed by interviews with >60 companies from multiple sectors of the chemical industry. All these companies have an interest to increase sustainability of chemical manufacturing through electrification. While the ultimate scope of the center will be collaboratively established between academic partners and industrial members, the initial set of topics that will be covered in the IUCRC include:

Scale-up tools and strategies for electrochemical and plasma manufacturing
Plasma and electrochemical production of olefins from natural gas, bio-mass and plastic waste
Plasma and electrochemical reactions for specialty, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Electrocatalyst development, stability assessment and protection strategies
High-throughput screening and optimization of electrochemical and plasma reactions
Electrochemical separation methods and membrane materials
Process design tools for electrified chemical manufacturing
Grid integration analysis, strategies, and decision-making tools
Tools for technoeconomic and life-cycle analysis for decarbonization strategies

If you are interested in receiving a portfolio of example projects reach out to us directly.

HOW WILL RESEARCH PROJECTS BE SELECTED?

IUCRC industrial members will become part of the IAB, and they will vote to make funding recommendations for specific projects. Full Members that contribute an annual membership of $85,000 are entitled to one IAB vote. (Full Members can pay $127,500 to receive one-and-a-half IAB votes, or $170,000 for two IAB votes.). Associate Members (available to smaller organizations <100 employees only) that contribute an annual membership of $42,500 are entitled to one-half IAB vote. Based on the votes received and the funding availability, the IUCRC director and leadership team will allocate funds to specific projects.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

If you are interested in learning more about DC-MUSE’s IUCRC and possibly becoming a member, we invite you to join us at our IUCRC Planning Meeting. In this meeting we will present possible IUCRC research topics and projects, you will have the chance to meet peer organizations and discuss common pre-competitive research needs, you will learn about the IUCRC program from NSF program managers and you will have a chance to help define the future direction of DC-MUSE.

HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

Please reach out to Prof. Miguel Modestino (modestino@nyu.edu), DC-MUSE’s IUCRC coordinator, and/or Dr. Frank Vallese (frank.vallese@nyu.edu), NYU Director of Strategic Partnerships.