IACMI—The Composites Institute Becomes the First Clean Energy Institute to be Renewed
IACMI—The Composites Institute recently held a ceremony celebrating the news that it will be receiving federal funding across five fiscal years, with a first-year investment of $6 million to further technological R&D and accelerate commercialization in the domestic composites manufacturing sector as part of a proposed $30 million over 5 years.
This federal funding builds upon initial institute funding of $70 million from DOE and over $130 million from IACMI’s member partners. IACMI is one of six Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institutes supported by DOE and the first to secure renewal funding.
Since its establishment in 2015, IACMI has emerged as a leader in advanced composite design, manufacturing, technical innovation, and workforce development, including:
- Managing more than 60 collaborative and industry-led technical projects, representing more than $200 million in R&D investment;
- Catalyzing over 25 new composite-based products to commercialization;
- Supporting the creation of 3,000 jobs at composite materials and parts manufacturers;
- Spurring investment of $75 million in five states for R&D and Scale Up Facilities.
“Composites have the power to improve everyday lives,” said Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering Professor Chad Duty, who serves as CEO for IACMI. “Composite technology will continue to play a crucial role as we develop more sustainable solutions to our country’s energy, transportation and infrastructure challenges. DOE’s continued investment in IACMI will accelerate our progress toward achieving these goals.”
A full release can be seen on IACMI’s website