Malcolm Cooke, Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Executive Director of the think[box} program at Case Western Reserve University

Dear Colleagues:

Politics is driven by (and hopefully responds to) developments in society as a whole. As Karl Marx emphasized, regimes changed as the means of production changed.

So this week we will seek to learn more about a new development in how goods are produced: “3-D Printing.” The Economist defines 3-D printing as “the ability to construct solid objects by building them up, a layer at a time, in plastic or metal.” So articles can be made with many fewer moving parts, and machines re-tooled to make different products just by reprogramming them. Some hype-masters have even argued it would reverse the trends favoring manufacturing in China. The Economist suggests it will fit Chinese factories just fine. The effects will depend on what the technology can do and how businesses are organized to use it. The idea sounds both cool and puzzling, and it is rather cool that we have on campus, in Professor Cooke, an expert who can help us understand what the technique is and puzzle through what it could change.

All best regards,
Joe White
Luxenberg Family Professor of Public Policy and Director, Center for Policy Studies

About Our Guest

Malcolm Cooke has over twenty years of teaching experience in the areas of design, manufacturing and rapid prototyping. He received his Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) degree from Coventry University, his Master of Science (M. Sc.) from Warwick University – both located in the United Kingdom – and his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University. Previously responsible for the development of on-campus manufacturing laboratories, computer-aided-design studios and innovative engineering design and manufacturing curriculum, Dr. Cooke now serves as the executive director for think[box]. His research interests include integrating advanced design and rapid prototyping technologies to address the challenges of engineering bone tissue.

Where We Meet and Parking Possibilities

We regret that there is little convenient free parking, especially with the current construction on Bellflower. The closest lot is the Severance garage, which can be entered from East Boulevard. You can go up the stairway or elevator labeled “Thwing Center.” Follow the walk around to the right and it’s about 50 feet to the building entrance, which will be on your left. Then walk through the atrium and take the elevator ahead on the right up to the third floor. The Spartan Room is on the right when you get off the elevator. Another possibility is the parking lot of the Church of the Covenant on Euclid, which can be entered from the north side of Euclid Ave, opposite Cornell Road. Visitors would walk west on Euclid to the main Thwing Center entrance.

Friday Lunch Upcoming Topics and Speakers:

October 18: Patenting Genes. With Craig Nard, Tom J. E. and Bette Lou Walker Professor of Law, and Director, Center for Law, Technology, and the Arts.

October 25: Why Performance Enhancing Drugs Should be Legal in Sports. With Max Mehlman, Arthur E. Petersilge Professor of Law and Director of the Law-Medicine Center.

November 1: Press Freedom and the Edward Snowden Affair. With Jim Sheeler, Shirley Wormser Professor of Journalism and Media Writing.

November 8: Is It or Is It Not Cancer? Is That the Question? With Nathan A. Berger, Distinguished University Professor and Director, Center for Science, Health and Society.

November 15: The Opportunity Corridor and Beyond: Transportation Issues in University Circle. With Debbie Berry, Vice President of Development, University Circle Inc.

November 22: Economic Effects of Health Care Reform: The Massachusetts Experience. With Mark Votruba, Associate Professor of Economics.

November 29 : No Session – Thanksgiving Break

December 6: TBA