FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ajay P. Malshe, professor of mechanical engineering, has been named to hold the Twenty-First Century Chair of Materials, Manufacturing and Integrated Systems at the University of Arkansas.

Malshe is the director of the Materials and Manufacturing Research Laboratories at the university. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the electrical engineering department and the microelectronics/photonics graduate program due to his extensive work in the area of integration of nano- and microdevices, primarily in the High Density Electronics Center. He is a co-founder and chief technology officer for two high-tech companies, NanoMech and OMNIPak.

The mission of Malshe’s program is “research inspired by discovery and innovation via integration of student-centered educational programs, addressing problems of national and global interest, serving industries and communities.”

Malshe has multidisciplinary, research-integrated education programs in the fields of nanomanufacturing and bio-inspired systems and design, integration and packaging of microelectronics, micro-electromechanical systems and related micro- and nanosystems, and surface engineering.

He has multiple landmark scientific and engineering contributions such as two international and national awards for technology used in nanoparticle composite coatings. Particularly, his nanomanufacturing science and engineering and micro- and nanopackaging efforts offer interdisciplinary students and industries a unique opportunity to bring new advanced products to the global market.

“Dr. Malshe has made great contributions to the College of Engineering and in the field of nanomanufacturing and materials and surface engineering. His enthusiasm for his research and entrepreneurial pursuits, as well as his dedication to his students and the field of teaching is unbridled and inspiring. He will no doubt do a tremendous job in this leadership role,” said Ashok Saxena, dean of the College of Engineering.

Malshe said, “The resources made available through this prestigious honor will create opportunities to think beyond this decade and derive strategies for achieving long-term national and international leadership in key areas such as nano and nanobiotechnologies, and advanced materials, manufacturing and related integrated system products.”

Malshe holds a doctorate in physics with an emphasis on materials science from the University of Pune.

The chair was endowed during the UA Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, which recorded $1.046 billion in gifts and pledges designated toward student and faculty endowments, academic programs, capital improvements and University Libraries when it concluded June 30, 2005.