The Manufacturing Moment: New Critical Materials Funding

Estimated read time: 5 minutes

A Note from AMMTO’s Director:

As we move forward from the Thanksgiving season, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on the remarkable strides we’ve made, highlighted during our team’s recent offsite at DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and its impressive Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. This event was more than just a gathering, it was a convergence of ideas, aspirations, and a shared vision for the future of manufacturing. Our conversations and strategies formulated not only signify the evolution of AMMTO, but also our commitment to embedding inclusivity in all our endeavors, mirroring the diverse and vibrant community we serve. As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of manufacturing, let’s carry with us the spirit of gratitude and community fostered during this season. Together, we are not only redefining the boundaries of what manufacturing can do, but also reinforcing our pledge to inclusivity and excellence in every facet of our mission. I hope you will read on and learn more about the stories emerging from our office, our stakeholders and across the manufacturing sector. See you back here next month, Chris Saldaña

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

• Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 and Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024 - Re-X Before Recycling Prize Informational Webinars
• Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 - Application Deadline for Critical Materials Accelerator Funding Opportunity Concept Papers
• Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 - Application Deadline for Manufacturing Ecosystem Track in DOE’s Community Energy Innovation Prize
• Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2024 - Application Deadline for Phase 1 of Re-X Before Recycling Prize
• Friday, Mar. 22, 2024 - Application Deadline for Critical Materials Accelerator Funding Opportunity Full Applications

Lab Embedded Entrepreneurship Program Deadlines

• Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 - Application Deadline for West Gate at National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Recent News and Funding Opportunities

• DOE Awards Eight Projects in Microbattery Design Prize to Boost Clean Energy Manufacturing
• DOE Announces up to $44M in Funding for Critical Clean Energy Technologies through Technology Commercial Fund
• AMMTO Launches 'Re-X Before Recycling' Prize to Transform Product Lifecycles
• AMMTO Announces Funding Opportunity for Critical Materials Accelerator Program
• AMMTO Highlights Manufacturing-Related Topics in SBIR Phase I Release 2
• EERE Unveils $121 Million Initiative for Industrial Emissions Reduction and Decarbonization Efforts
• DOE Analysis Confirms California’s Salton Sea Region to Be a Rich Domestic Lithium Resource

Highlights

Fireside Chat with AMMTO and ORNL Directors

AMMTO Director Dr. Chris Saldaña and Dr. Stephen Streiffer, Director of DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), recently spoke about the interface of manufacturing and energy. Their discussion included the important work happening at DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at ORNL that is advancing manufacturing, supply chain resiliency, and materials for a clean energy future. The MDF is a nationwide consortium of collaborators working with ORNL to innovate, inspire, and catalyze the transformation of U.S. manufacturing with funding support and guidance from AMMTO.

IACMI: Sustainable Products that Perform

On World Recycling Day, Nov. 15, 2023, the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) shared news of a groundbreaking advancement by MITO Material Solutions and Vartega. Fenix Fiber+, a superior composite blending MITO's graphene additives with Vartega's recycled carbon fiber, surpassed in performance and sustainability. This development promises transformative impacts across various sectors, including sporting goods and automotive. IACMI, a pivotal DOE Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute, has played a crucial role in MITO's journey since 2015, offering vital industry connections and support, and demonstrating its commitment to fostering sustainable material innovations within the composites industry.

AMMTO's 3rd CABLE Big Ideas Workshop: Advancing Conductivity in Electric Applications

On Nov. 14 - 15, 2023, AMMTO hosted the third Conductivity-enhanced materials for Affordable, Breakthrough Leapfrog Electric Applications (CABLE) workshop at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI) of the University of Colorado Boulder. This event brought together industry, academia, and national labs to discuss advancements in grid applications, high-temperature superconductors, and advanced conductors, with sessions focusing on smart manufacturing and various conductor types. The CABLE workshop aligns with AMMTO's mission by promoting innovative solutions in electric applications, critical for advancing a clean, decarbonized economy.

Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) Roundtable Highlights Future Growth and Collaboration

The LEEP Roundtable held on Nov. 13, 2023, at the U.S. Department of Energy's Forrestal Building in Washington D.C. focused on LEEP's strategic expansion across DOE offices and national labs. Stakeholders reviewed a multi-year growth plan, addressing high-level transition goals and detailed aspects for FY24-26. Discussions centered on LEEP Cohort application and review processes, and strategies for community building across nodes. This crucial meeting highlighted efforts to enhance coordination, impact, and effectiveness of LEEP, marking a significant step in its ongoing development and reach.

DOE’s Lab- Embedded Entrepreneurship Program – Chain Reaction Innovations –  Wins a 2023 Chicago Innovation Award

One of DOE’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program sites, Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) at Argonne National Laboratory, has earned a 2023 Chicago Innovation Award. This recognition underscores CRI's achievements in spurring scientific entrepreneurship within the Chicago area. Supported through the EERE’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, and managed by AMMTO, CRI facilitates the transformation of scientific discoveries into sustainable, equitable solutions, fostering innovation, job creation, and regional progress, aligning with AMMTO's commitment to advancing material and manufacturing technologies.

Coming Soon to a Grid Near You: Clean Energy (Batteries Not Included) - How Recycling Batteries Could Help Us Keep Up with the Decarbonization Race

The U.S. Department of Energy's ReCell Center, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is advancing battery recycling and reuse technologies to support a sustainable clean energy future. As the need for batteries increases with the shift towards decarbonization in transportation and energy generation, these initiatives address the challenges of environmental impact and material scarcity. Innovative direct recycling techniques are being developed to more efficiently recover materials from spent batteries without damaging their chemical structures. These advancements are crucial for establishing a reliable, clean energy grid, making electronics and electric vehicles more affordable and accessible.

Energize your Career with AMMTO! If you are passionate about improving energy and material efficiency, and American manufacturing competitiveness, consider applying to join us. We are currently hiring for the following positions: Senior Advisor Next Generation Materials & Processes, Technology Manager

We’ll be back next month with another manufacturing moment. Until then, you can forward this newsletter to a friend and don’t forget to tell them to subscribe here!