The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a new request for proposals and $4 million in selections for projects that will accelerate the adoption of Smart Manufacturing practices.
Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office
March 31, 2021
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new request for proposals (RFP) and $4 million in selections for projects that will accelerate the adoption of Smart Manufacturing practices.
Smart Manufacturing describes a variety of measures involving digitization, automation, and artificial intelligence—all of which improve the efficiency and productivity of the manufacturing sector. DOE's Collaborative Ecosystems Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CESMII), which supports advances in smart sensors and digital process controls, will manage these projects.
“Smart Manufacturing will make the American manufacturing sector more productive, more energy-efficient, and more competitive on a global scale,” said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Kelly Speakes-Backman. “DOE's investments in Smart Manufacturing will accelerate the adoption of these technologies and processes, helping companies to create new, integrated systems and support their competitiveness around the world.”
Through the new, $2 million Request for Proposals (RFP), CESMII will expand its Smart Manufacturing Innovation Centers (SMICs), a network of individuals and organizations from industry, government, and academia. SMICs allow manufacturers of all sizes to benefit from the network’s manufacturing assets and competencies, and to create testbeds.
CESMII also selected 14 new research and development projects from a previous RFP issued last year. These projects will apply Smart Manufacturing solutions to real-world manufacturing process and operation challenges, improving energy productivity, performance, quality and efficiency.
View the full list of selected projects.
Founded in 2016, CESMII accelerates smart manufacturing adoption through the integration of advanced sensors, data analytics, platforms and controls. It is the third institute funded by EERE's Advanced Manufacturing Office. CESMII is also a part of Manufacturing USA®, a network of federally funded institutes that have a specialized technology focus to increase U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and promote a robust national manufacturing R&D infrastructure.