Workshop: Finding Pathways from NSF-Funded Basic Research to DOE-Funded Applied Research on Additive Manufacturing; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; June 3, 2015

University Of Notre Dame, Notre Dame IN

Investigators

Abstract

This project supports a workshop to bring together Additive Manufacturing researchers funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, and to identify synergisms between programs. The National Science Foundation typically funds basic research that has a long-term significance. Additive manufacturing describes a collection of manufacturing processes that manufacture parts layer-by-layer, controlled by a computer, and without the use of expensive tools or dies. The industry currently has sales in excess of $4 billion, and is expected to grow to nearly $11 billion by 2021, but additive manufacturing is expected to fundamentally change the nature of advanced manufacturing in the 21st Century. The main objectives of the workshop are to: (1) examine and review the state-of-the-art in additive manufacturing equipment, materials, and process technologies; (2) identify pathways for basic research to transition to applied research and associated funding mechanisms; and (3) formulate recommendations for the next steps to advance additive manufacturing technologies. The workshop will be held at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This workshop will promote continued research developments in additive manufacturing. Recognizing research funded by the National Science Foundation is properly characterized as basic research, and Department of Energy-funded programs generally focus on more applied research, there is significant synergy and limited overlap. As basic research is conducted, the focus naturally progresses to applied research as is funded at the Department of Energy. Both communities of researchers depend on each other in order to have impact. One main focus of this workshop is to identify pathways and funding opportunities to have technologies developed by basic researchers (with National Science Foundation funding) be identified, funded and continued by the Department of Energy. Such transfer of projects is hindered by a lack of coordination and exposure of the agencies and their funded researchers. This workshop will provide a forum to promote such technology development pathways.