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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched a first-of-its-kind Critical Materials Collaborative (CMC) and announced its intent to fund up to $10 million to establish a Critical Materials Accelerator Program. The vision of the CMC is to integrate critical materials applied research, development and demonstration (RD&D) across DOE and the federal government, to accelerate the development of domestic critical material supply chains for the nation. The CMC will operationalize coordination and collaboration, while creating a value-add for RD&D performers by expanding their access to world-class expertise, capabilities, and facilities.  

New Metal AM printer at Missouri S&T (Photo courtesy of Bradley Deuser, Missouri S&T.)

With the recent purchase of a large-format metal additive manufacturing (AM) printer, the Kummer Institute Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri, took an important step toward helping Missouri manufacturers use technology to sharpen their competitive edge. The purchase was based on input from manufacturers, who reported acquiring traditionally manufactured parts had become increasingly difficult due to irregularities in the supply chain.

Kennametal Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been named a winner of the R&D 100 Award for its innovative additive manufactured (AM) machining tool for large engine and transmission housings in transportation, including electric vehicles, made with its new technology.

These parts and build plate are fresh out of a Velo3D Sapphire XC AM system. The components of the Reaper Turbopump fit on one 600 mm build plate of the XC system with room to spare. Such large format printers improve the manufacturing time and economics of 3D metal printing. Image courtesy of Velo3D

The aerospace industry continues to push metal additive manufacturing (AM) to convert innovative, physics-based designs into higher-performing components that are more dependable, affordable, scalable, and producible using the agile manufacturing technique. AM is not only in demand in the aircraft industry – it is a necessity. Two undergraduate students from Colorado University (CU) Boulder Aerospace Engineering Sciences program have worked with industry experts to develop a cost-effective and reliable rocket turbopump concept.

The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and America Makes have announced two new open project calls funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Research and Engineering Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD (R&E)), and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) worth a total of $11.75M. This is the largest funding opportunity launched by America Makes since its inception in 2012. Each project call has two areas of focus. One award is anticipated for each topic area with the maximum request for funding varying depending upon the topic being addressed.