Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/737526
6 S T U F F • F a l l 2 0 1 6 As we know, Massachusetts already excels at the intersec- tion of manu- facturing and technology – and this jump- start is going to drive our continued superiority. Our state manufactures unique, high-quality, high-value goods. It's true in advanced manufacturing fields like bio-pharma- ceuticals, aeronautics, advanced plastics and precision tooling. And it is also true in emerging field, like clean tech, robotics, advanced manu- facturing and the Internet of Things. We're on the brink of transformational advances in every aspect of manufacturing, pro- duction and what is possible: from techniques in lean, rapid production, mass-produced goods that can be individually customized, the advent of tiny, internet enabled sensors that collect and transmit enormous amounts of data and to revo- lutions in advanced materials. We are approach- ing a future where previously separate hard- ware, software and manufacturing systems are converging into goods manufactured in seam- less, singular production models. This overlap between technology and manu- facturing is only going to become increasingly pronounced, as machines increasingly connect to the Internet of Things. And this is the time to capitalize on our progress, and why Massachusetts is fertile ground for this revolu- tion. These advances are quickly coming down the pike, and tighter feedback loops to push rapid changes into production lines are already forcing the on-shoring of manufacturing and benefit close proximity between innovators, manufacturing operations and customers. Because Massachusetts is at the forefront of pioneering both the technologies and the adop- tion of new manufacturing techniques, we are dedicated to investing resources and strategy to the sector. Since this administration took office last year, we have committed $12 million to proj- ects through our R&D Fund and over $80 million in matching funds to public-private research partnerships through the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2). Through our R&D Fund, we have helped jumpstart three major research collectives across the state. The Advanced Nanomanufacturing Cluster for Smart Sensors and Materials at Northeastern University is working with a consortium of private manufac- turing companies and tier-one research institu- tions on new methods to create smart sensors and other revolutionary meterials using 'nanosa- cale' printing processes. We also supported UMass Amherst's partner- ship with the MassMutual Foundation to establish a Data Science and Cybersecurity Center with a $5 million grant. Data and cybersecurity develop- ment are crucial to the progress of the Internet of Things, an increasingly important component of advanced manufacturing here and globally. Last year UMass Lowell received $4 million through this fund, for their Printed Electronics Massachusetts a leader in advanced manufacturing By Jay Ash Secretary of Housing and Economic Development M assachusetts is at the cusp of a new phase of our manufacturing sector, one that plays to our state's collective strengths and builds on deep talent across multiple fields and sectors. The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to partnering with the manufacturing sector, to ensure the state is pursuing every avenue, and offering ever smart resource we can to support you and allow you to continue growing jobs across the Commonwealth. "Printed electronics have the potential to complete- ly upend the manufactur- ing processes of electron- ics, erasing the need for metal in electrical com- ponents with electricity conducting ink." Jay Ash, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Workers at Modern Manufacturing in Worcester make custom glass installations Special Sponsors Message