He said it took a few months for their JCATI application to become approved , but commented on the process by saying , “… a unique strength of JCATI is the rigor of the project proposal reviews they conduct on applications . The group reaches out to a range of academic and industrial subject matter experts ( SME ’ s ) that review and score each proposal . It includes many industry technical fellows from companies like Boeing .” He added , “ They have a fair and consistent rating process that is the best I ’ ve seen .”
Hacker added , “ Funding is awarded via a competitive review process with 2021-22 proposals due February 25 .” shttps :// www . jcati . org / funding / jcati
He said that ultimately if their product goes to market it will improve sanitation in the commercial aerospace industry .
Fletcher sees many benefits of the JCATI program .
Two highlights are :
1 . “ JCATI provides the faculty and students with focused seed funds on specific needs . Most aerospace industries are struggling to survive , but by seeing the seed funds , they are encouraged to provide service in-kind and real-world testing areas that students would not have access to .”
2 . “ JCATI conferences allow industry and academic SMEs to be encouraged by seeing tangible progress .”
Finally , from a student ’ s perspective , Anthony Tang weighed in on why he values the program . Tang is a Ph . D . student in mechanical engineering at University of Washington . He is in his second of what could be four to six years of a Ph . D . program , but at age 23 , entered the program directly from receiving his undergraduate degree . His is a unique position because he worked on a JCATI project for two years as an undergraduate student , and then went right into the Ph . D . in Mechanical Engineering and started another two-year JCATI project .
Thus , Tang receives a stipend from JCATI for the research he is doing . He said , “ The JCATI program has been a great way for me to tackle projects , not only relevant to Washington ’ s aerospace industry , but to work with an industry partner as well .” He said that without the stipend , “ It would be very difficult without the financial and other supports from JCATI .”
He said that the funding is essential for students like him to be able to continue in a focused academic research vein . One of the key areas of value for Tang has been in the interdisciplinary approach that the research provides . He has been able to work with a variety of departments and programs at the university while conducting research .
“ I have learned fluid dynamics , electro-magnetic , bio analysis , and electrical engineering . There are a lot of disciplines and key concepts from different departments and concentrations . I will take these skills with me as I go into the research world ,” he said .
Tang said that he is hoping to become an academic and / or research-based leader in private industry in the future . He said that because of JCATI ’ s program , and his involvement , he has received a well-rounded education that will allow him to understand how to bring research-based projects to market and to understand the economic feasibility of doing so in the future .
38 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS