Knoxville institute gets millions to make key component for electric vehicle technology

A Knoxville-based advanced manufacturing institute is getting a multi-million dollar boost from the federal government to produce materials needed for electric vehicles and electric batteries, an industry that has quickly become an integral part of Tennessee's economy.

The Department of Energy announced April 11 that it will give the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation $6 million this year for research and development of advanced composite materials used in clean energy technology.

The goal is to strengthen the country's renewable and efficient energy sectors.

The DOE will continue to provide millions of dollars to IACMI through 2028. The DOE already gave the institute $70 million and it has received more than $180 million from member partners.

The institute is the first institute to receive a second round of funding from the DOE, and is one of six Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institutes getting funding.

Mark Morrison, IACMI director of communication, told Knox News the manufacturing institute is on track to receive $30 million over five years.

IACMI CEO Chad Duty said the funding will be used to make materials for electric vehicles, which require lighter, stronger materials to drive farther on a single charge.

"We really see Tennessee has become an epicenter for advanced composites and manufacturing innovation," Morrison told Knox News. "Especially with the expected future growth in the production of electric vehicles and electric batteries."

What will this funding do?

IACMI is a 120-member community that manufactures advanced composite materials, which are used in automotive, aerospace, infrastructure and renewable energy engineering.

It also partners with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“Composites have the power to improve everyday lives,” IACMI CEO Chad Duty said in a press release. “Composite technology will continue to play a crucial role as we develop more sustainable solutions to our country’s energy, transportation and infrastructure challenges."

The funding will go toward researching and developing new materials to support decarbonization, as well grow IACMI's workforce.

Advanced composites are lighter, stronger and more durable than concrete.

Duty told Knox News the funding shows that the institution is making a noticeable impact in composite manufacturing.

“IACMI is living, breathing proof that when we connect our nation’s leading experts across the manufacturing value chain to listen, learn, and share ideas and best practices, we can have a big impact,” Alejandro Moreno, the DOE’s acting assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, said in a press release. “The Department is committed to seeing how IACMI will continue to leverage that collaborative spirit into actionable and innovative progress as our partnership continues.”

Tennessee has become a popular area for automotive manufacturing companies to set up shop and grow. The Volunteer State is home to 900 companies like this in 88 of 95 counties in the state.

Silas Sloan is the growth and development reporter. Emailsilas.sloan@knoxnews.com. Twitter@silasloan. Instagram@knox.growth.

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