Industry Collaboration
Industrial Decarbonization
Implementable Solutions
Regional & National Economic Stimulation
Today’s Big Challenges
Tomorrow’s Better Solutions
Collaborating with the SM²ART unlocks next-generation solutions to real-world problems; access to world-class facilities and researchers; and committing to industrial decarbonization, cost-effective solutions, and product superiority. Technical collaborations are short-term partnerships with industry providing 50% of the total project funding. Projects that show exceptional promise at an early stage towards commercialization, but require additional work, may be scaled to future development. The key to tapping that innovation is providing a portal for industry, to gain rapid access to the unique basic and applied research tools/staff.
Industries Impacted
yours is next.
Partner with us
Description for this block. Use this space for describing your block. Any text will do. Description for this block. You can use this space for describing your block. Description for this block. Use this space for describing your block. Any text will do. Description for this block. You can use this space for describing your block.
More About Our Technical Collaborations
Tech Collab Criteria
- Short-term, focused technical challenges
- Economic and industrial energy efficiency benefits
- Enable industry partners to access U-Maine and ORNL capabilities
- Up to 12 new CRADA projects each year with industrial partners.
- Facilitate innovation and boost the commercialization of new products using nanocellulose/polymer composites.
Projects in Development
The ORNL and UMaine research teams will also engage industrial partners in cost-shared technology collaboration projects in related bio-based manufacturing topics areas. Projects currently under development with potential industry partners cover topics such as:
- Development of cellulose reinforced composites materials, including fully bio-degradable
- variants
- Application of cellulose reinforced composite materials through direct additive manufacturing
- of components and tooling.
- Scaling of cellulose nanofibril production via process improvements
- Improved throughput and performance of additive manufacturing equipment in the deposition of cellulose reinforced composite materials, including recycled material variants
Funding
There are two phases for technical collaborations under this program. Phase I allocates up to $40,000, with an equal match of $40,000 (can be in-kind) from the company, for collaborative work. If Phase I is successful, a second phase can be applied for with up to $200,000 of funding, with an equal match from the company.
Initiating a Tech Collab
The process of establishing a technical collaboration under this program has been streamlined to expedite the timeline. Companies interested in pursuing a technical collaboration should:
- Work with our tech collab coordinators to develop a scope of work with specific tasks.
- Complete the Scope of Work appendix to the Research Collaboration agreement with UMaine or ORNL.
- The project will be quickly reviewed by DOE for approval.
Culvert Diffuser
Biocomposite Foam for Lightweight
Structural Applications
Mold for Yacht Cabin Roof
Partner Testimony
The collaboration between Sappi and the UMaine/Oak Ridge team has been excellent during the first phase of the technical work. The UMaine team has brought in in-depth knowledge and resource in the area of additive manufacturing. This partnership enables the teams to successfully identify potential materials for the next phase of work. Sappi is looking forward to further collaboration in this area as we look to advance the commercial application of our renewable biomaterials.
Qi Wang
Director- R&D – Technology Platform & Fiber
SAPPI North America
Muddy River Farm Aquaponics’ (MRF) primary production systems are grounded in principles of recirculation – both fresh water and saltwater. Without support from both the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center \ and the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), half of MRF’s business model would be unattainable. The ASCC and ORNL have been a fundamental part of bringing MRF’s R&D to the next level. Their support, whether it took the form of engineering consultation, design advice, or most importantly, additive manufacturing capacity was instrumental in developing and proving MRF’s prototype systems. The staff is also an absolute pleasure to work with. MRF looks forward to working with both partners in the coming years to refine and commercialize our product.
Matt Nixon
Owner/Founder
Muddy River Farm Aquaponics
Meet Our
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Atlantic Sea Farms
SHoP Architects
NatureWorls LLC
Sappi
Hodgdon Yacht Services
Muddy River Farm Aquaponics
GranBio
Ingersoll Machine Tools
Strangpresse
Arcadia Alliance
Unistress Corporation
WBRC Architects Engineers
MOBILE BELOW
Today’s Big Challenges
Tomorrow’s Better Solutions
Collaborating with the Hub & Spoke program unlocks next-generation solutions to real-world problems; access to world-class facilities and researchers; and committing to industrial decarbonization, cost-effective solutions, and product superiority.
What is a Technical Collaboration?
Tech collaborations are short-term partnerships with industry providing 50% of the total project funding. Projects that show exceptional promise at an early stage towards commercialization, but require additional work, may be scaled to future development. The key to tapping that innovation is providing a portal for industry, to gain rapid access to the unique basic and applied research tools/staff.
Hub and Spoke SM2ART Model: Providing Regional Access to National Assets
This approach promotes a successful collaborative manufacturing model to regional manufacturing ecosystems, providing U.S. industry with access to world-leading R&D expertise and capabilities. The regional manufacturing center will be able to couple the expertise and capabilities located at ORNL, with local capabilities and industries specific to advanced manufacturing specific to biomaterials.
More About Our Technical Collaborations
Tech Collab Criteria
- Short-term, focused technical challenges
- Economic and industrial energy efficiency benefits
- Enable industry partners to access UMaine and ORNL capabilities
- Up to 12 new CRADA projects each year with industrial partners.
- Facilitate innovation and boost the commercialization of new products using nanocellulose/polymer composites.
Projects in Development
The ORNL and UMaine research teams will also engage industrial partners in cost-shared technology collaboration projects in related bio-based manufacturing topics areas. Projects currently under development with potential industry partners cover topics such as:
- Development of cellulose reinforced composites materials, including fully bio-degradable variants
- Application of cellulose reinforced composite materials through direct additive manufacturing of components and tooling.
- Scaling of cellulose nanofibril production via process improvements
- Improved throughput and performance of additive manufacturing equipment in the deposition of cellulose reinforced composite materials, including recycled material variants
Funding
There are two phases for technical collaborations under this program. Phase I allocates up to $40,000, with an equal match of $40,000 (can be in-kind) from the company, for collaborative work. If Phase I is successful, a second phase can be applied for with up to $200,000 of funding, with an equal match from the company.
Initiating a Tech Collab
The process of establishing a technical collaboration under this program has been streamlined to expedite the timeline. Companies interested in pursuing a technical collaboration should:
- Work with our tech collab coordinators to develop a scope of work with specific tasks.
- Complete the Scope of Work appendix to the Research Collaboration agreement with UMaine or ORNL.
- The project will be quickly reviewed by DOE for approval.
Partner Testimony
The collaboration between Sappi and the UMaine/Oak Ridge team has been excellent during the first phase of the technical work. The UMaine team has brought in in-depth knowledge and resource in the area of additive manufacturing. This partnership enables the teams to successfully identify potential materials for the next phase of work. Sappi is looking forward to further collaboration in this area as we look to advance the commercial application of our renewable biomaterials.
Qi Wang
Director- R&D – Technology Platform & Fiber
SAPPI North America
Muddy River Farm Aquaponics’ (MRF) primary production systems are grounded in principles of recirculation – both fresh water and saltwater. Without support from both the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center \ and the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), half of MRF’s business model would be unattainable. The ASCC and ORNL have been a fundamental part of bringing MRF’s R&D to the next level. Their support, whether it took the form of engineering consultation, design advice, or most importantly, additive manufacturing capacity was instrumental in developing and proving MRF’s prototype systems. The staff is also an absolute pleasure to work with. MRF looks forward to working with both partners in the coming years to refine and commercialize our product.
Matt Nixon
Owner/Founder
Muddy River Farm Aquaponics
Meet Our Industry Partners
Atlantic Sea Farms
SHoP Architects
NatureWorls LLC
Sappi
Hodgdon Yacht Services
Muddy River Farm Aquaponics
GranBio
Ingersoll Machine Tools
Strangpresse
Arcadia Alliance
Unistress Corporation
WBRC Architects Engineers