DuPont Comments on the U.S. Department of Energy Grant to Support Next Generation Composite Materials

IACMI Selected by the US DOE to Become a National Institute

Troy, Mich. (PRWEB) January 09, 2015

DuPont issued the following comments after President Obama announced the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), led by The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, was selected by the US Department of Energy 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. DuPont is among the consortium of 122 companies, nonprofits, and universities led by the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

IACMI, the fifth named Institute in President Obama's vision of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), will work to develop lower-cost, higher-speed, and more efficient manufacturing and recycling processes for advanced composites.

“While this is a broad-based initiative, we see this as an opportunity to support advances in materials science that can help the automotive industry develop the next generation of low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicles that are safe, affordable and fun to drive,” said DuPont Performance Polymers President Patrick E. Lindner. “The need to commercialize the next generation of advanced-composite technologies requires step-change technology throughout the industry,” he added.

“This public-private partnership can act as both change agent and catalyst to accelerate transformational technology and DuPont is proud and excited to be a part of this team.”

A 2014 survey sponsored by DuPont and conducted by leading industry publication WardsAuto found that half the automotive design and engineering community said they were only “moderately confident” in the ability of today's materials portfolio to help them meet 2025 CAFE standards (Link to the survey findings here). “This type of cross-functional collaboration can jump start innovation that leads to new materials, new manufacturing methods and new design tools that can move the industry beyond ambivalence,” said Lindner.

Since the beginnings of the automotive industry, DuPont has been a pioneer in the development of advanced materials that today are used to help reduce weight, improve efficiency, enable electrification and advance the adoption of alternative powertrain and fuel systems.

DuPont DD has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.

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1/9/15

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