IACMI: Leading the Charge in Composites Research and Development
The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) is at the forefront of technological research and development in the composites manufacturing industry. Recently, IACMI announced a funding renewal from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that will support its continued efforts to accelerate commercialization and decarbonization through advanced composites technologies.
Over the past six years, IACMI has managed over 60 collaborative and industry-led technical projects, representing over $200 million in R&D investment, catalyzed more than 25 new composites-based products to commercialization, supported the creation of 3,000 jobs at composite materials and parts manufacturers, and spurred investment of $75 million in five states for R&D and scale-up facilities.
One such successful project was IACMI’s collaboration with Volkswagen of America to redesign and validate a liftgate for the VW Atlas using composites, reducing its weight by 35% and lowering its cost by 9% compared with steel. Another example is the scaling, manufacture and testing of novel thermoplastic wind turbine blades that are recyclable and lower in cost.
IACMI’s working groups are dedicated to R&D for high rate aerostructures fabrication, digital twins, future mobility, wind energy, infrastructure and construction, and the circular economy through recycling and novel materials.
Furthermore, IACMI has invested in a shared infrastructure for open-access composites manufacturing R&D capabilities with state economic development organizations and the DOE. These shared scale-up facilities include the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Carbon Fiber Technology Facility at ORNL, the Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Laboratory for Systems Integrity and Reliability at Vanderbilt University, the Composites Laboratory at the University of Dayton Research Institute, the Composites Manufacturing & Simulation Center at Purdue University, the IACMI Scale-Up Research Facility (SuRF) managed by Michigan State University, and the Composites Manufacturing Education and Technology Facility (CoMET) at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
IACMI’s continued efforts in the composites manufacturing industry have earned it the distinction of being the first clean energy institute to be renewed by the DOE, and it is one of 16 national Manufacturing USA institutes established to catalyze advanced manufacturing and materials applications. IACMI aims to further its mission by attracting startups and small enterprises, as well as large enterprises, national labs and universities.
Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
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