FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Industrial Assessment Centers
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced approximately $35 million in funding, subject to congressional appropriations, to assist small- and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers with increasing their energy efficiency, productivity, sustainability and competitiveness and to help address the shortage of engineering professionals with applied energy-related skills. The Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) program provides hands-on training and extensive education for undergraduate and graduate engineering students in manufacturing processes, energy assessment procedures, and energy management systems.
Led by engineering faculty, the selected IACs will perform on-site assessments at small- and medium-sized manufacturing business partners, currently defined as having gross annual sales below $100 million, fewer than 500 employees, and annual energy bills between $100,000 and $2.5 million.
To view additional details about this funding opportunity, please click here.
Advanced Manufacturing Office Director, Dr. Mark Johnson Discussed American Manufacturing During Smart Work Forum
On Wednesday, March 23, Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) Director, Dr. Mark Johnson participated in a panel discussion hosted by The Hill newspaper to explore American manufacturing in the digital age. Dr. Johnson pointed out several ways in which AMO is investing in the development of a talented workforce, one of which is through the Industrial Assessment Centers. He also highlighted the High Performance Computing for Manufacturing program which leverages supercomputers at our national labs to accelerate advanced clean energy technologies and energy-efficient solutions that improve our nation’s economic competitiveness in manufacturing. The forum was comprised of a panel of other experts including Stephen Ezell, Vice President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Greg Scheu, Executive Committee Member of ABB Group and President of ABB Americas Region. Check out this video of the Smart Work Forum to listen to Mark Johnson’s presentation.
Also read our blog on Mark’s view on the digital age and the impact on the manufacturing sector.
White House Announces New Manufacturing Institute and Highlights Advanced Manufacturing Office Sponsored Institute, PowerAmerica
The White House announced a new institute, sponsored by the Department of Defense, which will focus on revolutionary fibers and textile manufacturing. This new institute is the eighth manufacturing hub to be awarded as part of the government-wide effort that is the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). Other institutes, including those sponsored by the Department of Energy, have already proven the public-private partnership model to be successful. PowerAmerica, also called the Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is funded by the Advanced Manufacturing Office and was also highlighted in the White House announcement.
Read our blog to learn more about the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) and our spotlight on PowerAmerica.
EVENT: 3D/DC 2016 Conference – Thursday, April 14
American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Public Knowledge, a Washington, D.C.-based public interest group working to defend citizens' rights in the emerging digital culture, is hosting its fifth 3D printing policy event on Thursday, April 14th from 10AM-8PM EDT in Washington D.C. Panel topics include STEAM education, the arts, the environment, bridging the workforce skills gap, and social impact.
A representative from AMO will also participate in the 3D Printing & the Environment panel that will be held from 11:00 – 11:45 AM.
Registration is required for this event. For more information on this free event, including registration and an event schedule, please visit this webpage.
The Improving Process Heating System Performance Sourcebook is Now Available
The Advanced Manufacturing Office’s (AMO) “Improving Process Heating System Performance” Sourcebook introduces industry to process heating basics, performance opportunities for fuel and electric based systems, waste heat management and where they can find help on optimizing these important industrial systems. Over the years AMO has worked with the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) in its development. IHEA’s mission is to provide services that assist member companies to serve end users in the process heating industry. The third version of this sourcebook can be found on AMO’s technical publications webpage.