The Department of Energy (DoE) has allotted $187 million to finance 55 research and development projects on advanced manufacturing, DoE reported on Monday. The department will pursue this investment to support the country’s competitiveness in domestic and global manufacturing. The funds include $48 million for cost-shared efforts.
The department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will fund projects in the focus areas of advanced material manufacturing, lower thermal budget processes and connected, flexible and efficient manufacturing systems.
The first topic seeks low-cost manufacturing processes for batteries, heating and cooling storage and harsh condition-resistant materials. The department spent $124.6 million for 36 projects focused on new, low-cost manufacturing processes. The projects will catalyze domestic battery manufacturing, phase-change storage materials for heating and cooling applications and the development of innovative materials for harsh service conditions.
The second one focuses on heating and drying technologies that would boost energy efficiency and the quality of manufactured products. The department will allocate $28.7 million to 8 projects to fund research on industrial process heating and drying technologies that increase energy efficiency and product quality. Researchers will focus on process heating, which accounts for 70% of all manufacturing process energy use.
The final focus area tackles energy conversion efficiency, semiconductor advancements and improved electric grid integration. $33.5 million has been allocated for 11 projects that back efficient industrial power conversion equipment that process energy to electrical energy. The equipment will also integrate electrical grids support recent advances in new, wide-bandgap semiconductors.
“By investing in advanced manufacturing projects that enhance energy productivity, we’re supporting the competitiveness of the entire U.S. manufacturing industry,” said Mark Menezes, undersecretary of energy.
About the Department of Energy
The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.
