SME forum will promote transfer of NASA technology to manufacturing purposes

Dearborn, Mich.  (January 28, 2014) – SME and The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI) have joined forces to create the SME Technology Interchange. This first-time event features 25 NASA innovations that can transfer to business and manufacturing applications. It will take place on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit.

Space-age technology designed for businesses
The SME Technology Interchange promises to be an eye-opening event for even the most advanced manufacturing and engineering professionals. The featured NASA technologies are ready to be co-developed with businesses focused on advanced energy, automotive and innovative manufacturing.

“We look forward to introducing our technologies to Detroit-area companies and working with them to help advance their operations,” said Robert J. Shaw, PhD, deputy director of the Office of Technology Partnerships and Planning, NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland.

The Interchange will also provide attendees with the opportunity to connect with new supply chain providers, create new business opportunities, forge new partnerships with major research companies, and find new resources. A portion of the event is designated as Resource Row – where organizations can display their products and services that support technology and business and complement the NASA technologies.

“Many people are not aware of NASA’s history of technology development that has translated beyond space exploration,” said SME Innovation Manager Lauralyn McDaniel. “Showcasing these advanced technologies opens up a world of new possibilities and economic opportunities for businesses and for the region.”

The Interchange will run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $35. For more information, visit sme.org/smetech.

Sponsored by SME and its partners
The SME Technology Interchange is the result of a grant awarded to SME from the New Economy Initiative of Southeast Michigan (NEI) to share NASA technologies with regional businesses. The event is co-sponsored by SME and various partners from the Great Lakes Region. Among them is Auto Harvest, an online hub for manufacturers to connect and collaborate.

About SME
SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME shares knowledge to advance manufacturing. At SME, we are making the future.

About The New Economy Initiative
The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI) is an innovative philanthropic effort to accelerate the transition of metro Detroit to an innovation-based economy that expands opportunity for all. Ten national, regional and local foundations have committed $100 million to this unprecedented initiative, including the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (Detroit), the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation (Southfield, Michigan), the Ford Foundation (New York), the Hudson-Webber Foundation (Detroit), the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Battle Creek, Michigan), the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (Miami), The Kresge Foundation (Troy, Michigan), the McGregor Fund (Detroit), the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation (Flint, Michigan), and the Skillman Foundation (Detroit). The participating foundations are leading the implementation and governance of the Initiative. The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, which initiated the collaborative, is serving as its administrative home. For more information, please visit  neweconomyinitiative.org.

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Media Contact:
Lori Ann Dick, APR
SME Public Relations
313.425.3187
communications@sme.org