President Obama has announced two new manufacturing innovation institutes – one in Chicago and one in Detroit — as well as a competition for the first of four additional institutes that will boost advanced manufacturing in the United States.
Each institute brings together companies, universities and federal agencies to develop cutting-edge technology, train workers, and turn research into real-world products.
- The Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing Innovation Institute in Detroit will focus on products and systems that make use of new, lightweight, high‑performing metals and alloys.
- The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute in Chicago will develop enhanced digital capabilities to design and test new products, and reduce manufacturing costs across multiple industries.
- A competition for an Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation Institute, to improve our ability to manufacture materials that increase energy efficiency, is the first of four the President will launch this year.
- Last month also saw the launch of the Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute in Raleigh, N.C.