Since 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has partnered with Freelancer.com to hold crowdsourcing campaigns that attract innovative solutions to today’s manufacturing challenges and broad industry participation. The Manufacturing Innovator Challenge consists of individual challenges across multiple technologies to find ideas that will enhance manufacturing in the United States.

Today, EERE announces a new manufacturing prize as part of the Manufacturing Innovator Challenge, the Lightweight Turbocharger Turbine Wheel Challenge.

Many new engine concepts include a turbocharger to help increase thermal efficiency and increase power density (horsepower/liter displacement). The turbine and compressor wheels in the turbocharger rotate at speeds over 100,000 revolutions per minute. DOE seeks design concepts for a lightweight turbocharger turbine wheel that can meet or exceed the performance of an Inconel automotive component and have the ability to be scaled up to larger turbocharger applications. To optimize the efficiency and transient response, the new design should take advantage of innovative manufacturing techniques (such as additive manufacturing) and new material concepts.

DOE will award one prize for a lightweight turbo turbine wheel concept, with a prize of approximately $7,000.

To learn more about this challenge, click here.  You will need to establish an account with Freelancer.com to view the full contest details and to enter.