Seminars

ME/IE 8773-8774
MAIN DEPARTMENT SEMINAR SERIES
Topics of General Interest
Host: Joachim V.R. Heberlein

Reverse Production Systems: Models and Insights

by

JANE CHUMLEY AMMONS, Ph.D., P.E.
Associate Dean of Engineering for Faculty Affairs
NSF ADVANCE Professor of EngineeringProfessor,
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332-0360

Wednesday, February 23, 2005
2:45-4:00 p.m.
Room 3-180 EE/CSci
Coffee and cookies will be available at 2:30 p.m. in Room 3-176 EE/CSci before the seminar

Abstract: Production systems that support the recovery, processing and resale of materials and sub-components at the end of their useful life are an important part of the U.S. and world economy. There are estimated to be 73,000 firms employing 350,000 people, generating revenues of US$53 billion/year in remanufacturing alone. Recycling and remanufacturing can achieve significant gains in overall energy and material efficiency of a product life cycle. The appropriate design of such systems -- reverse production systems -- is crucial to initiate and grow infrastructure for product recovery, refurbishment, spare parts recovery, and recycling. This talk will present ongoing research developed in interdisciplinary collaboration with chemical engineer Dr. Matthew Realff to develop methodology and tools for the strategic design and extension of reverse production systems. Insights will be shared from case studies developed for nylon carpet and electronics reverse production systems."

Bio: — Jane Ammons serves as the Associate Dean of Engineering for Faculty Affairs, the NSF ADVANCE Professor of Engineering, and Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech. Her areas of expertise include production systems design and analysis, manufacturing systems, reverse logistics, and continuous quality improvement. Dr. Ammons received her Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Tech, and her M.S.I.E. and B.S.I.E. cum laude from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Ammons is an active researcher who has published numerous scholarly articles and book chapters. At Georgia Tech, ISyE undergraduates have elected to honor Dr. Ammons with five outstanding teaching awards, the top women engineering students have honored her with the MERITOR Faculty Excellence Award, and at the university level she has been distinguished by the Class of 1940 W. Roane Beard Outstanding Teacher Award and the Georgia Tech Woman of Distinction as Outstanding Faculty Member. Dr. Ammons has been an advisor for Tau Beta Pi since 1987 and is engaged in activities to enhance the development of Georgia Tech students and faculty, including women and under represented groups.

Dr. Ammons has provided leadership to several organizations and serves on several boards and advisory panels. Dr. Ammons is Chair of the Computer Equipment Disposal and Recycling Council for the State of Georgia, past chair of the NSF Engineering Advisory Committee and past chair of its Advisory Committee for the Division of Design and Manufacturing. Dr. Ammons initiated the NSF Engineering Scholars program as Chair of the seminal workshop, chaired the Trustees of the IIE Scholarship Fund, and has served as the Secretary of the IIE Board of Trustees and on the Army Science Board. She is a member of IIE, SME, INFORMS, ASEE, and has been elected a Fellow of IIE.

Informal Faculty Luncheon: Wednesday, February 23, 2005, 12:00 noon. Meet in 1100 ME and walk to lunch with other faculty. Dean Jane Ammons will be able to attend.