On July 11-12, 2018, Defense Strategies Institute will host attendees at the 2nd Advanced Materials for Defense Summit, taking place at the Mary M. Gates Learning Center in Alexandria, VA. 

DSI’s Advanced Materials for Defense Summit will detail DoD initiatives to facilitate and implement technology-based options for advanced materials and manufacturing processes. The program will discuss the utilization of strategic materials and manufacturing processes and how they significantly alter the cost, sustainability, and readiness capabilities of DoD logistics operations.

A highlight of this year’s summit is DSI’s panel discussion on managing the utilization of rare earth elements across the DoD. Critical Minerals, or Rare Earth Elements, have a supply chain that is vulnerable to disruption, but one that is vital to manufacturing processes. With foreign competitors controlling a vast majority of the REE market, along with the limited supply of these elements, it has become a major concern across the DoD and has created a critical strategic vulnerability. The DoD has shifted its focus back to production of salable REE's for military weapons systems and manufacturing processes to address these material shortfalls. 

Leading the discussion, on decreasing the reliance on foreign entities and ensuring sufficient amounts of strategic materials here in the US for future national security interests, will be the following:

 Moderator:

- Col Howard Marotto, USMC, Lead for Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing Development and Implementation, HQMC (Installations and Logistics)

Panelists: 

- Joseph Gambogi, Mineral Commodity Specialist, USGS

- Dr. Rick Honaker, Chair of the Mining Engineering Department, University of Kentucky

- Bert Chapman, Professor, Purdue University

Additional Topics at This year’s Summit will Include: 

- Advancing innovative materials research for critical defense needs

- Providing support to global logistics operations through enhanced manufacturing capabilities

- Developing high performance structural materials for Warfighting capabilities

- Developing materials and manufacturing sciences to ensure the development of affordable advanced materials

- Integrating high reward strategic materials that provide higher levels of combat power

- Ensuring material readiness and maintenance for major weapons systems

- Guiding 3D printing processes to accelerate Army manufacturing processes

- Integrating strategic materials onto soldier clothing and equipment to defeat and reduce threats of fragmentation and heat

- Assessing the impact of foreign investments into acquisition materials in the US

- Managing the utilization of Rare Earth Elements across the DoD

Seating is limited –

In order to allow for actionable discussion and dialogue amongst speaker and attendees, seating will be limited.  Early Registration ends June 8th. Register now to reserve your seat. Active military, government and state personnel attend complimentary. Those interested in participating in the Advanced Materials for Defense Summit can visit Defense Strategies Institute's website at http://materials.dsigroup.org/ 

Anyone interested in learning more or sending questions contact Morgan Colfax at [email protected], 201-266-0058.

**Summit is CLOSED TO PRESS / NO RECORDINGS**