CAMCSAbout CAMCS
The Center for Advanced Metallic and Ceramic Systems (CAMCS) is an interdisciplinary research and academic unit of the Johns Hopkins University. CAMCS was created in 2000 to provide a focus for mechanics and materials issues associated with impact problems, with initial funding from the Army Research Laboratory. Subsequent growth of the Center has been encouraged by support from the Army Research Laboratory, the Army Research Office, the Office of Naval Research, the Missile Defense Agency, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and NASA. The Center is directed by Professor K.T. Ramesh of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, with administrative support from assistant Libby Starnes.
CAMCS is built on a collaborative research model, with the following basic operating elements:
- Collaborative research projects run by Collaborative Research Groups (CRGs). Each CRG consists of external scientists, faculty, postdocs and students.
- An emphasis on fundamental research, leading to both publications and patents.
- A very flexible research agenda. New Research Thrusts or Research Groups can be nucleated as and when necessary, and old research thrusts can be closed down in a structured manner.
- Multi-year research plans, but each Collaborative Research Group (CRG) revisits & revises plans as necessary on an annual basis.
- Periodic Collaborative Research Group meetings are scheduled in each thrust area.
- Postdocs are defined as Center postdocs and jointly advised.
- Graduate students have a primary faculty advisor and perhaps ONE joint advisor.
- The intent is to maintain a postdoc to graduate students ratio of approximately 1:2.