Center of Excellence in Product Design and Advanced Manufacturing (CEPDAM)

Message from the Director – Salil Desai, Ph.D.

Greetings from the Center of Excellence in Product Design and Advanced Manufacturing (CEPDAM) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T). Manufacturing is the driver of US economy as it contributes to $2.52 trillion to the national GDP signifying its immense value to the nation. The CEPDAM is a university-wide center leading in transformational design and manufacturing themes that address global challenges by innovating convergent solutions through inclusive partnerships. Supporting our land-grant mission CEPDAM provides comprehensive R&D expertise for industry, non-profits, and regional community partners throughout the entire product realization life cycle. Key facets include the design, prototype development, systems modeling, processing, characterization and supply chain management of manufactured products across different industry sectors. CEPDAM exemplifies A&T’s emblem “Mens et Manus” meaning “Mind and Hand” aptly bringing “ideas” into “action.” 

CEPDAM interdisciplinary faculty affiliates span across seven (7) colleges on A&T campus bringing holistic perspective and cutting-edge research themes. The center is engaged in curriculum development, training, and certifications in frontier fields such as Industry 4.0, smart, bio and sustainable manufacturing. CEPDAM focuses on developing a 21st century workforce thereby serving as an innovation incubator for advanced discovery and knowledge translation. CEPDAM continues to host flagship events such as the National Manufacturing Day and has established the Women in Design and Manufacturing Academy.  

CEPDAM is housed at various satellite locations around campus and is supported with state-of-the-art design studio, digital manufacturing suite, additive manufacturing laboratories, nano-bio fabrication cleanroom, and high-performance modeling facility to name a few. Our partnership highlights include ongoing relationships with national laboratories, industry partners, federal agencies, and NC Carolina Core – mega site for next-generation advanced manufacturing corridor. CEPDAM is committed to contributing to our nation’s global competitiveness in product design and advanced manufacturing through inclusive partnerships. 

Contact Us

Dr. Salil Desai 
Director
University Distinguished Professor
Center of Excellence in Product Design and Advanced Manufacturing (CEPDAM)
Email: cepdam@ncat.edu

We also encourage you to follow us on social media to stay up to date on our activities.
Twitter: @NCATCEPDAM 
Instagram: @NCATCEPDAM