The U.S. Army and the U.S. Office of Naval Research have turned to the University of Central Florida to help push the limits of additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3-D printing with metallic alloys.
Additive manufacturing looks to use different metallic alloys to print a variety of finished components used in everything from children’s toys to aircraft and naval ships, which is why the armed services are interested in seeing the industry advance. The UCF process, once perfected, promises to be more efficient and mobile.
Yongho Sohn, a Pegasus Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and associate director of the Materials Characterization Facility, is leading work on overcoming the challenges associated with using metallic alloys. With the Army and Navy’s nearly $5 million in grants over the next five years, he expects to be able to accelerate breakthroughs in this area, something that’s been the focus of his 18-year career at UCF.
“Additive manufacturing technology offers unprecedented capability for agility, customization, delivery and, most importantly, design possibilities unexplored due to conventional manufacturing limitations,” Sohn said. “This is a disruptive technology that can change how we manufacture things and, equally important, how we educate and train the next generation of our technology workforce.”
Much like personal printers, toners (the alloy powders) in additive manufacturing determine the range and quality of the materials that can be printed and the resolution of the finished products.
Sohn is working with a team that is exploring the development of new alloys specifically for some of the most technically challenging applications required by Army and Navy.
UCF is positioned to make leaps in this field because of Sohn’s expertise and the resources in his laboratory. It is one of a few university labs in the nation to have the tools to investigate the complete manufacturing process for metallic alloys from powders to finished components.
“Literally we can design a new alloy composition to try by lunch time, make the new alloy into powder form and feed it into the 3-D printer before going home, and have a component printed out when we return to work the next morning so we can run a variety of characterization/testing,” he said.
He is collaborating with Ranganathan Kumar from UCF’s mechanical and aerospace engineering program, Hae-Bum Yun from civil and environmental engineering, and Kevin Coffey and Tenfie Jiang, both from materials science and engineering. External collaborators include scientists from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and Rajiv Mishra from the University of North Texas.
Students and post docs are also benefiting from this cutting-edge research. Several have been trained to use the equipment and certified to conduct research with it. They include: two research scientists, Le Zhou and Ed Dein in the Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center, one doctoral student, Holden Hyer from materials and science and engineering and one undergraduate, Sharon Park, a junior in mechanical and aerospace engineering.
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Governor Scott Highlights $180 Million Tax Cut Package
Governor Rick Scott today visited W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, a Jacksonville-based company with more than 1,000 employees throughout eight Florida locations, to highlight his proposal for $180 million in tax cuts for Florida families in his Securing Florida’s Future recommended budget. The Governor’s proposal includes sales tax holidays to help families prepare for the school year and hurricane season, and reductions to many of the fees on driver’s licenses. Since 2010, the Governor has cut taxes more than 80 times, saving Floridians more than $7.5 billion. Governor Scott also highlighted his proposed amendment to Florida’s Constitution to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes by requiring a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees.
Governor Scott’s $180 million tax cut package includes:
- Sales Tax Holidays to Save Families $88 Million – The Governor’s recommended budget includes funding for four sales tax holidays which will save Floridians an estimated $88 million in the upcoming fiscal year. These sales tax holidays include:
- $73 million from a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday; and
- $15 million from three one-week disaster preparedness sales tax holidays which would take place in May, June and July.
- Reduction in Driver’s License Fees to Save Floridians $87 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reduce the fees for driver’s licenses. These fees were increased in 2009, prior to Governor Scott taking office. These fee cuts include:
- $67 million in savings from reducing the fee for a renewal of a regular driver’s license by more than 58 percent from $48 to $20; and
- $20 million in savings from reducing the fee on an original regular driver’s license by more than 43 percent from $48 to $27 and the fee on an original Commercial Driver’s License by more than 10 percent from $75 to $67.
- Reduction in Traffic Citation Fines to Save Floridians $4 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reinstate the 18 percent reduction of eligible traffic citation fines, which was repealed in 2009 prior to Governor Scott taking office, for individuals who attend a basic driver improvement school.
Nelson to Zinke: What does Florida ‘off the table’ really mean?
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) sent a letter today to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke demanding specific details on any new five-year offshore drilling plan the agency may be considering.
The move comes less than 24 hours after Zinke announced in an airport in Tallahassee that he was taking Florida “off the table” as the agency looks to open up additional areas to offshore oil drilling.
Nelson, who immediately called the announcement a “political stunt,” says the public has a right to know exactly what Interior is now proposing before they should be expected to comment on it.
“The public has a right to know exactly what Interior’s plan is,” Nelson wrote to Zinke, “and it is unreasonable to expect Floridians to provide input on a plan that may or may not be the plan that your agency is actually considering.”
Nelson announced the letter in a speech he gave on the Senate floor Wednesday. “While many in Florida have seen right through this shameless political stunt,” Nelson said, “it has opened up a long list of other questions that I have now asked Secretary Zinke to answer in a letter that I have sent today.”
Nelson went on to say that Zinke should extend the public comment period to give Floridians adequate time to voice their opinion on any new plan.
“For every day that goes by without answers to these essential questions, the secretary needs to add that much more time to the public comment period,” Nelson said. “I fear this announcement of Secretary Zinke’s is going to discourage Floridians from commenting on the proposal that was published just this Monday – the one that opened up Florida’s entire coastline to drilling – because our Floridians have been given false assurances that we all are in the clear.”
In that same speech, Nelson also announced that he filed new legislation Wednesday to permanently ban drilling off of Florida’s coast.
“I have filed bills to expand the moratorium on the Gulf Coast, I have sponsored other legislation to protect Florida, and today I am filing another bill that would be a permanent ban of drilling off of Florida’s coast,” Nelson announced.
A pdf of Nelson’s letter to Zinke is available here. A link to video of Nelson’s remarks on the floor is available here.
Roadway Transfer in Sanford and New Beginnings
The New Year is here and drivers in the Sanford area may have noticed a subtle change in the way a couple of roadways are numbered and designated on the City’s north side. The long-term implications of this major road transfer are expected to boost ecotourism as well as spur community development possibilities for years to come.
Late last year, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) transferred ownership of U.S. Highway 17/92–also known as State Road (S.R.) 600–along Lake Monroe to the City of Sanford and Seminole County. The transfer was the culmination of many years of work involving FDOT, Seminole County and the City of Sanford.
The transfer will assist the City of Sanford in developing, expanding and maintaining its RiverWalk Phase 3 project along Lake Monroe, eventually west to the area of the Central Florida Zoo. This final phase of the RiverWalk will include 2.4 miles of trail, seawall and roadway construction from Central Florida Regional Hospital (Mangoustine Avenue) to just east of Interstate 4. It will complete the five-mile RiverWalk system and connect to the Seminole and Volusia County trail systems. The roadway construction will boast many beautification, pedestrian safety and traffic calming elements such as, scenic overlooks, roundabouts and themed landscaping, allowing for an immediate speed reduction to 45 mph.
“As we move forward with RiverWalk Phase 3, a $23 million investment to the City, this jurisdictional transfer goes hand-in-hand toward enhancing this scenic roadway along beautiful Lake Monroe for both drivers and pedestrians, providing great opportunity for our residents and visitors to continue to enjoy Sanford and all its diverse and wonderful amenities,” said Mayor Jeff Triplett.
For its part, FDOT has relocated the U.S. 17/92 – S.R. 600 designation to a portion of S.R. 46, as well as to what was formerly Monroe Road/County Road (C.R.) 15, which runs north and south between S.R. 46 and where U.S 17/92 passes under Interstate 4.
Alan Hyman, Transportation Operations Director for FDOT District 5, said, “While safety, mobility, and connectivity have always been a part of FDOT’s resume, the department also understands the importance of economic development and leveraging resources for the benefit of Florida citizens. This is a win-win.”
Drivers should be on the lookout for new signage appearing on the newly designated roads. The new designations may take some time to show up on GPS mapping and directions used by various applications. FDOT advises drivers to pay attention, drive with care and always buckle up.
Gov. Scott: Florida’s Graduation Rate Reaches 14-Year High
Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida’s high school graduation rate has reached a 14-year high according to data released today by the Florida Department of Education. For the 2016-17 school year, Florida’s statewide graduation rate rose to 82.3 percent, an increase of 23.1 percentage points since 2003-04 and 1.6 percentage points over last year.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s high school graduation rate has reached a 14-year high. We want every Florida student to have access to a world-class education so they can succeed in the classroom and their future careers, and that is why my recommended Securing Florida’s Future budget includes historic funding for education for the sixth consecutive year, including significant investments for teachers and students in our K-12 system. I look forward to working with the Legislature during the upcoming session to make sure our students have the resources they need to continue to build on this accomplishment for years to come.”
Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart said, “I am thrilled to celebrate our state’s students and educators on this monumental accomplishment. Excelling in high school opens doors to opportunities that provide students long-term benefits, and Florida’s steady increase is promising for our state’s and students’ futures.”
Florida’s graduation rates vary by race/ethnicity, but all groups have increased their graduation rates over the last year. The subgroups with the highest percentage point increase over the last five years are as follows:
- The statewide graduation rate among Black or African American students increased by 10.2 percentage points over the last five years, rising from 64.6 percent in 2012-13 to 74.8 percent in 2016-17.
- The statewide graduation rate among Hispanic students increased by 6.4 percentage points over the last five years, rising from 74.9 percent in 2012-13 to 81.3 percent in 2016-17.
- The statewide graduation rate among students with disabilities increased by 13.7 percentage points, rising from 52.3 percent in 2012-13 to 66.0 percent in 2016-17.
- The statewide graduation rate among economically disadvantaged students increased by 9.8 percentage points, rising from 67.0 percent in 2012-13 to 76.8 percent in 2016-17.
For more information about the 2016-17 graduation rates, click HERE.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit fldoe.org.
CFO Jimmy Patronis, Commissioner Putnam Urge Lawmakers to End Credit Report Freeze Fee
House Bill 953 passed unanimously out of its first committee today
At a joint press conference today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Adam H. Putnam along with Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) and Rep. Shawn Harrison (R-Tampa) urged lawmakers to eliminate the credit report freeze fee during the 2018 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1302, sponsored by Sen. Brandes, and House Bill 953, sponsored by Rep. Harrison, aim to make it easier for Floridians to protect themselves from fraud. HB 953 passed unanimously out of its first committee, House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, today.
“Florida has the second highest number of identity theft complaints per capita with Miami, Naples, Tallahassee, and Orlando in the top 10 metro areas for these complaints,” said CFO Jimmy Patronis. “We know data breaches will continue to happen to no fault of consumers. No one should have to jump through hoops to protect themselves from fraud.”
“We should do all we can to make protecting consumers’ financial information even easier. Protecting consumers from fraud continues to be a top priority of mine,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
“Whether a data breach victim or a consumer wanting to protect themselves from fraud, Floridians should be able to easily freeze their credit without having to pay to do so,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes. “It’s the right thing to do.”
“We’ve seen time and time again the implications data breaches have for Floridians,” said Rep. Shawn Harrison. “There should not be a burden placed on the consumer’s shoulders just to protect their credit.”
Florida law currently allows credit report agencies to charge a fee of up to $10 to freeze credit reports, and data breach victims are required to submit paperwork to prove their identity is in jeopardy to avoid paying the fee. Four states (Indiana, South Carolina, Maine, North Carolina) do not charge fees to freeze credit.
Lawmakers must put consumers first in any repeal of PIP system
The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today took an initial step toward repealing Florida’s fraud-riddled No-Fault/PIP auto insurance system with the passage of Senate Bill 150, filed by Senator Tom Lee (R-Brandon). If enacted, the existing No-Fault/PIP system would be replaced in 2019 by a new fault-based system requiring all motorists to carry bodily injury (BI) coverage of $20,000 per person/$40,000 per occurrence and mandatory medical payments coverage of $5,000. The BI limits are increased to $30,000 per person/$60,000 per occurrence after three years.
“If the Senate’s intent is to manage the cost of auto insurance for Florida drivers, high mandatory minimum levels of coverage, mandatory medical-payments and a new system without a third-party bad faith fix is not the solution,” stated Michael Carlson, president of PIFF. “If we move from No-Fault to a tort-based system, we urge lawmakers to protect consumers’ freedom of choice by allowing the market to determine the right mix of coverage limits and price.”
As the Senate considers this measure, PIFF said it urges members to carefully weigh how moving to a new system will impact consumers, and to consider key market-based principles. According to the organization — which represents 45 percent of the private passenger automobile insurance market and more than 20 percent of the private homeowners’ insurance market — any repeal of PIP must avoid unnecessary cost increases, such as high BI limits and mandatory medical payments coverage, and should address third-party bad faith litigation, which is a cost driver that could increase auto insurance premiums.
“As the debate on repealing PIP unfolds, PIFF is committed to working closely with legislators to ensure that Florida’s motorists receive the best coverage at the best prices possible, while avoiding unnecessary mandated coverages and litigation costs that drive up the price of auto insurance for everyone,” Carlson added.
Florida Realtors Announces 2018 Legislative Priorities
As the 2018 Florida legislative session begins, it offers a prime opportunity to resolve ongoing issues impacting property insurance, vacation rentals, affordable housing and business growth, according to Florida Realtors®, the state’s largest professional trade association.
“Every session, Florida Realtors stands ready to support homeownership initiatives and defend the private property rights of Floridians throughout the state,” says 2018 Florida Realtors President Christine Hansen, broker-owner with Century 21 Hansen Realty in Fort Lauderdale. “This Session is no different as we work to educate lawmakers on growing AOB abuses, private property rights associated with vacation rentals, affordable housing needs and the benefits of further reductions to Florida’s business rent tax.”
Florida Realtors’ top priorities for 2018 are:
Assignment of Benefits reform
AOB was designed to help property owners streamline repairs to their home. But a growing number of contractors, such as water remediation companies and roofers, have been inflating the cost of repairs. When insurers contest the claim, the contractors file a lawsuit. Insurers often settle the lawsuit but the litigation costs are passed on to all policyholders.
“Realtors are going to make it clear that drastic reform of the Assignment of Benefits process is needed to cut down on the abuse that drives up insurance premiums for property owners,” says 2018 Florida Realtors Public Policy Committee Vice Chair Tim Weisheyer. “In just 10 years we have seen 405 AOB cases balloon to 28,000, and the average AOB insurance claim is 50 percent more than non-AOB claims. These are sobering facts that really demonstrate the need for legislative action.”
Business rent tax reduction
The 2017 Legislature took a big first step in growing Florida’s economy by lowering the sales tax on rent to 5.8 percent. Small businesses, which make up almost 99 percent of all Florida employers, are disproportionately impacted by the tax. Further reductions to this tax will provide businesses with the capital needed to expand, hire, improve benefits and raise salaries.
“There is no doubt that last year’s reduction to the business rent tax will help small businesses throughout the state, but we still have a lot of work to do if we want to lift this burden off our economy,” says 2018 Florida Realtors President-Elect Eric Sain. “Millions of workers and their families benefit from a lower business rent tax and that’s why we are going to be back at it again this year, urging lawmakers to reduce it even further.”
Vacation rental fairness
Online platforms have significantly expanded the ability of homeowners to rent their property. In response, local governments around the state are establishing new ordinances, inspections and fees designed to discourage vacation rentals, often at the expense of private property rights.
“Innovative vacation rental tools have opened up new revenue sources for Floridians throughout the state, bringing increased flexibility and prosperity to their lives,” Sain explains. “Unfortunately, local governments see vacation rentals as a disruption to the community and are trying to discourage the practice by infringing on people’s property rights. We are urging the Legislature to step in and prevent property rights from being undermined.”
Increase affordable housing funds
A 2017 report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) ranks Florida as the sixth least affordable housing market in the nation – discouraging news for a state looking to grow its economy. To encourage people to move to Florida, build lives here and contribute to the economy, the state housing trust funds need to be directed to as many programs as possible to help people buy homes.
“In support of our original position from 1992, Realtors will continue to advocate for as much funding as possible for affordable housing,” says 2018 Florida Realtors Treasurer Cheryl Lambert. “These trust fund dollars positively impact our communities by giving thousands of Floridians the ability to achieve the American dream of homeownership.”
Gov. Scott: Florida Job Growth Fund Awards First Grant to Manatee Technical College
Governor Rick Scott today visited Manatee Technical College to announce that the college will be awarded the first grant from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. Last month, the School Board of Manatee County voted to accept $201,500 in funding through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). This funding will support the purchase of high-tech equipment needed to expand the workforce training program in Advanced Manufacturing and Production Technology, which will help prepare more students for future career opportunities.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Manatee Technical College has been selected as the first recipient of the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. This program was designed to support economic development projects that enhance workforce training programs, such as Manatee Technical College’s manufacturing program, so Florida can continue to compete in this global economy. Ensuring a well-trained workforce is vital to bringing new job opportunities to families in our state, and I look forward to announcing additional Florida Job Growth Grant Fund recipients in the near future.”
This proposal was chosen based on its strong return on investment to the state and the regionally driven demand for a robust manufacturing workforce. The impact of this program will help prepare Florida students for years to come and encourage businesses to invest in Manatee County as a result of the skilled workforce. Return on investment is calculated based on the number of Floridians completing the training program and the projected increase in wages they earn once they find employment in comparison to total project cost.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of DEO, said, “Our agency has worked diligently to evaluate more than 200 Florida Job Growth Grant Fund proposals to ensure that these funds are spent wisely. Manufacturing skills are needed throughout our state, but specifically in Manatee County where there are hundreds of manufacturers. Manatee Technical College has a successful existing program that will be enhanced by these funds. We look forward to the opportunities this funding will bring to the families of Manatee County.”
For more information about the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, visit FloridaJobs.org/JobGrowth.
Sen. Bill Nelson on Sec. Zinke's meeting in Tallahassee
Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the Secretary of Interior’s meeting with the governor in Tallahassee this evening:
“I have spent my entire life fighting to keep oil rigs away from our coasts. But now, suddenly, Secretary Zinke announces plans to drill off Florida’s coast and four days later agrees to “take Florida off the table”? I don’t believe it. This is a political stunt orchestrated by the Trump administration to help Rick Scott, who has wanted to drill off Florida’s coast his entire career. We shouldn’t be playing politics with the future of Florida.”
