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Pakistan Staff Dr. Yaseen Iqbal PI(Pak Side) MCC University of Peshawar Peshawar, Pakistan dryaseeniqbal@yahoo.co.uk Mr. Aqib Ali Khan Research Assistant Mr. Imtiaz Hussain Research Assistant Mr. Muhammad Fahad Research Assiatant Mr. Sajjad Ali Research Assistant |
The requirement to optimize the utilization of mineral and human resources leads to the development of new technologies that make manufacturing processes user-friendly and economical both financially as well as environmentally. Engineering and applications of materials range from the designing and development of biocompatible soft bones for organ implants on one extreme to state of the art components and devices used in modern communication systems and structural materials for the construction industry on the other extreme. Keeping in view the diversity of materials, nearly every sector of life can be developed via intelligent planning for optimum utilization of mineral and human resources. For such planning, the preliminary requirements include: a) Awareness about the available mineral resources b) Identification of technical resources required for purification and processing of minerals in accordance with consumers’ needs c) A systematic search for feasible ways to transform the available resources into affordable products for local and global markets d) Systematic technical training of students and scholars for such assignments. The achievement of these goals requires a dedicated team of experts comprising academics, mineralogists, industrial experts, mine owners and investors to mutually share their knowledge and expertise in order to address the issues hindering technological development of a nation. |
USA Staff Dr. Rick Ubic PI(USA Side) MCC Boise State University Idaho, USA rickubic@boisestate.edu  Dr. Lii-Cherng Leu (Daniel) Postdoctoral Research Associate |
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Keeping in view the above requirements, the project proposal titled “Development of Materials Connection Centre” was prepared by Prof. Yaseen Iqbal (University of Peshawar, Pakistan) and Dr. Rick Ubic (Boise State University, USA) and submitted to the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan and US National Academy of Sciences under the Joint Pak-US S&T Cooperative Program in June 2007. The project was approved for funding on Feb. 6, 2008. Practical work on the project started upon establishment of funds to the US-side on June 27, 2008 and the Pakistani side on Oct. 26, 2009. The major aim of the project is to develop an infrastructure for: a) preparation of an up to date database of available minerals, with special emphasis on those that either have a large export potential and/or the most domestic relevance b) their systematic characterization using facilities at the University of Peshawar (UOP) and Boise State University (BSU) c) identification of the specific technical resources and processes required for their refinement and processing and d) designing of individual research projects in the field of Engineering Materials to look for possible applications in order to optimize their utilization. The project is a collaborative effort between the two institutions and a Materials Connection Centre (MCC) is being developed at the University of Peshawar to serve as a platform for material engineers, industrialists, investors, academics and mineralogists to share their knowledge and expertise to look for ways to optimize the utilization of mineral, human and technical resources of the region. Once critical mass has been achieved, the program will be elevated to a self-sustaining Materials Connection Centre that will liaise with industry on emerging engineering materials needs. The project is progressing well because of the immense cooperation and continuous linkage between the two universities and hard working researchers. This project is the first step towards the long term collaboration between the two institutions and countries in materials research and development. Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperation Program Development of a Materials Connection Center Lectures Available on Bonding, Crystallography, and Crystal Defects POSTERS PRESENTED AT PAK-US PROJECT EXHIBITION JUNE 9, 2010 |
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