Campus News

Kentucky, UK Help Establish $259 Million Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2015) – As part of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation, President Obama today announced the launch of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), and the Commonwealth and University of Kentucky as core partners of the institute.  

In efforts to drive the use of advanced polymer composite materials, create jobs, and boost American manufacturing, the U.S. Department of Energy selected the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, led by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to become a national institute aimed at creating better composite materials and technologies for rapid deployment within the automotive, wind turbine and compressed gas storage industries, according to the department's news release.

IACMI, selected through a competitive process led by the Advanced Manufacturing Office within the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is the fifth named institute of the President's National Network for Manufacturing Innovation.

The public-private partnership was selected through a competitive process led by the Advanced Manufacturing Office within the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The DOE Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute’s award is supported by a $70 million federal commitment over five years combined with an equal or greater amount in non-federal resources, according to the news release.

“Kentucky is proud to help establish the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation,” said Governor Steve Beshear. “Our economy is built on innovation, and this partnership will put the Commonwealth in a great position to create jobs, boost manufacturing and develop the products of tomorrow.”

"Being part of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) is both a great honor and a great opportunity for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the University of Kentucky," said John Walz, dean of the UK College of Engineering. "The funds from this grant, together with support from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, will benefit composite-based manufacturing companies in Kentucky plus support basic and applied research at UK."

As core partners, UK along with the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Purdue University, Michigan State University, University of Dayton Research Institute and their respective states, are the founding partners that helped establish IACMI and are essential to the successful management and operation of IACMI.

UK's research will focus on producing low cost, high strength carbon fibers for lightweight composite structures for improved vehicle energy efficiency.  

“Through the Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), UK offers unique capabilities for research-scale fiber manufacturing of novel precursors for carbon fiber, providing an important contribution to the Institute," said Dr. Matthew Weisenberger, UK CAER associate director for carbon materials and principal investigator. “Along with our partners, we look forward to aiding the progress of the American composite manufacturing industry, and training future leaders in the area of fiber manufacturing and composites.”

The six partner states and members, including more than 90 companies across the supply chain, commit to $189 million in additional contributions to the institute.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu