The College of Oklahoma (OU) and Oak Ridge Nationwide Laboratory (ORNL), the Division of Vitality’s largest multi-program science and vitality laboratory, have entered a strategic collaboration to determine a cutting-edge additive manufacturing heart based mostly in Norman, OK. Constructing on the college’s current Sooner Superior Manufacturing Laboratory and ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, the brand new heart will give attention to pioneering metallic AM options for aerospace and nationwide protection wants.
OU’s Oklahoma Aerospace and Protection Innovation Institute (OADII) and ORNL will collaboratively advance analysis, coaching, and workforce growth in metallic AM, hybrid manufacturing, machining, and information analytics.
“This long-term partnership with Oak Ridge Nationwide Laboratory absolutely aligns with the not too long ago printed replace of OU’s strategic plan,” stated Gen Robin Rand (USAF, ret.), OADII’s government director. “Our deliberate push to advance additive manufacturing analysis is fueling innovation and financial prosperity in Oklahoma and decreasing threat to our nation’s protection.”
Via OADII and the Gallogly School of Engineering, the College of Oklahoma helps Division of Protection priorities reminiscent of sustainment and modernization, and ORNL brings unparalleled technical capabilities in supplies science and superior manufacturing, offering the partnership with the instruments and expertise to drive innovation.
“Our faculty is thrilled to enter into this partnership,” stated Zahed Siddique, affiliate dean for analysis on the Gallogly School of Engineering. “Collaborating on cutting-edge manufacturing know-how will enrich the coed academic expertise, develop analysis impression, and improve financial growth alternatives in Oklahoma.”
The middle is anticipated to play a key function in supporting sustainment and mission readiness at Tinker Air Drive Base and different important facilities throughout the area, together with the Air Drive Sustainment Heart and the Air Drive Analysis Laboratory.
“This partnership between OU and ORNL can have substantial impression on our nationwide safety, significantly by advancing certified additive manufacturing processes for the sustainment and readiness of US Air Drive belongings,” stated Moe Khaleel, ORNL affiliate laboratory director for Nationwide Safety Sciences. “When the good individuals at our two establishments get collectively, with our collective assets, we are going to do huge issues for the nation.”
ORNL will leverage the capabilities and classes realized in establishing the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, the nation’s foremost superior manufacturing analysis atmosphere.
“By combining ORNL’s deep experience in superior manufacturing with OU’s robust tutorial and analysis basis, we’re making a dynamic ecosystem for innovation,” stated Craig Blue, ORNL’s chief manufacturing officer and director of Protection Manufacturing Applications. “This collaboration just isn’t solely about advancing know-how – it’s about accelerating the transition of breakthrough options into real-world protection purposes the place velocity, precision, and readiness matter most.”
