Maintenance Mindset: Tech R&D—3D bioprinted organs, fuel biomanufacturing, U.S. Army next-gen rifles, and more
Where science and the economy intersect is where businesses are innovating, and the exploration of new technologies is often a collaboration between industry, government and academia. This science roundup covers recent news and research, connecting manufacturing with government or university-led research and development (R&D) or workforce development initiatives, including stories about:
- new data for more precise satellite calibration
- industrial high heat transfer testing for aerospace and defense, data centers and heavy-duty vehicles
- U.S. Department of Energy supercomputer data projects
- National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing
- National Science Foundation grant for sustainable fuel biomanufacturing
- U.S. Department of Commerce Tech Hubs Program
- artificial intelligence security standards
- manufacturing the U.S. Army next-gen rifles
- DOD-funded center for metal additive manufacturing
- 3D bioprinted organ models for research and deployable bioprinting stations for remote organ generation
- $1.5 million grant for manufacturing to gamify safety training technology
- artificial intelligence for advancing cybersecurity
- Center for Digital Twins in Manufacturing
- National Science Foundation Future Manufacturing program
- advanced workforce training in casting, forging, and machining
- Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit
From precision satellite calibration improving resource monitoring to cutting-edge additive manufacturing centers supporting defense readiness, recent developments from government agencies, universities and industry demonstrate the broad scope of R&D efforts impacting U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Enhanced training programs leveraging AI and virtual reality, expanded testing capabilities for thermal management, and strategic investments in supercomputing and biomanufacturing highlight the growing collaboration across sectors. Together, these efforts are shaping the future of manufacturing by boosting productivity, sustainability, supply chain resilience, and national security.
NIST’s new dataset of lunar brightness
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new dataset of lunar brightness measurements that are 10 times more accurate than previously available, enabling more precise calibration of Earth-observing satellites. By mounting specialized instruments on a high-altitude NASA ER-2 aircraft, the air-LUSI project captured moonlight data above 95% of Earth’s atmosphere, eliminating most distortion caused by atmospheric interference. This improved calibration method will help ensure satellites record true light and color levels from Earth’s surface, supporting accurate monitoring of farmland, water resources, and mineral deposits. The dataset, tied to international measurement standards, gives engineers, scientists, and satellite operators a powerful tool for improving decision-making and maximizing the value of satellite assets.
Southwest Research Institute expands heat exchanger testing setup
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has expanded its heat exchanger testing capabilities to include megawatt-scale performance evaluations, a capability rare among global facilities. This enhancement addresses growing market demands for high-heat transfer testing in industries ranging from aerospace and defense to data centers and heavy-duty vehicles. SwRI’s customized testing setups support a broad range of thermal management needs, from small kilowatt systems like automotive radiators to megawatt-scale applications required for hypersonic vehicles and AI-driven data centers. These advanced facilities position SwRI as a key partner for manufacturers seeking to optimize heat exchanger design and performance in increasingly power-intensive industrial environments.
U.S. Department of Energy offers its supercomputers to tackle most complex computing challenges
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science has awarded more than 38 million node-hours on its top-tier supercomputers to 56 high-impact scientific projects through the Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) Leadership Computing Challenge (ALCC). These projects span critical industries, including energy, medicine, and advanced manufacturing, leveraging supercomputing power to accelerate breakthroughs in fusion energy, AI development, materials modeling, and turbomachinery design. Access to cutting-edge facilities like Frontier and Aurora enables researchers to tackle complex simulations that would be impossible with conventional computing. This initiative supports the manufacturing and industrial sectors by driving innovation in energy efficiency, materials science, and advanced design optimization.
Help shape the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s new National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is requesting public input to help shape a new National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing, aimed at boosting U.S. competitiveness, job creation, and national security across multiple industrial sectors. This plan will focus on advancing research and development in emerging technologies like AI, nanotechnology, and biotechnology, while addressing challenges such as supply chain resilience, workforce development, and technology commercialization. OSTP seeks feedback from manufacturers, academia, and other stakeholders on priorities, barriers, and opportunities to ensure effective government coordination and public-private partnerships. Responses will inform strategies to strengthen U.S. manufacturing innovation, regulatory support, and domestic supply chains over the coming years. Comments are due by September 30.
National Science Foundation grant to support fuel biomanufacturing
Founding director of the Missouri University of Science and Technology Kummer Institute Center for Resource Sustainability Dr. Shelley Minteer and collaborators, including Arzeda Corporation, have received a $7.8 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to develop sustainable fuel technology by converting carbon dioxide into usable fuel through biomanufacturing. The project combines biology and electrochemistry, using custom-designed enzymes to power chemical reactions that turn CO₂ into value-added fuels without relying on sunlight. This innovative approach aims to harness biological processes in industrial settings, offering a promising path to reduce carbon emissions and create clean energy. For manufacturers and industrial sectors, success could mean new sustainable fuel sources and technologies that support decarbonization and economic growth.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce changes Tech Hubs Program
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced a strategic relaunch of the Tech Hubs Program—initially authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022. The program has designated 31 regional Tech Hubs and distributed more than $541 million in combined funding through designations and implementation grants. The FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act added up to $500 million more, including a $220 million loan executed in March 2025, to support future hub competitions. Lutnick rescinded the six Phase 2 implementation awards, much criticized by the Tech Hubs that were not chosen as rushed and non-competitive, and directed that all hubs—including those previously selected—must now compete afresh under a revised funding notice set to launch this summer. The new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will emphasize value to the taxpayer, project quality, transparency, and national security in its evaluation criteria. All 31 designated Tech Hubs remain eligible, and prior awardees will be reviewed by the investment panel with preference within the refreshed, merit-based process.
U.S. AI Safety Institute changes to the Center for AI Standards and Innovation
The Department of Commerce will transition the U.S. AI Safety Institute into the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), aimed at advancing artificial intelligence development while safeguarding national security. CAISI will serve as the primary government liaison for industry, facilitating testing, collaborative research, and the development of voluntary AI security standards in partnership with NIST. The center will evaluate both domestic and foreign AI systems for security risks, including cybersecurity and biosecurity threats, and coordinate closely with federal agencies like the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. By promoting innovation without excessive regulation, CAISI aims to ensure U.S. leadership in AI standards and secure adoption of emerging technologies critical to manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Manufacturer’s next-generation U.S. Army rifles receival standard approval
The U.S. Army has officially designated its Sig Sauer Next Generation Squad Weapon M7 rifle and M250 automatic rifle as Type Classification – Standard, signaling they meet the Army’s rigorous performance, safety, and reliability requirements. Replacing the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, these systems deliver greater range, lethality, and tactical overmatch for modern combat operations. The designation streamlines procurement, training, and maintenance processes, enabling rapid integration into Army units. This milestone moves the weapons from development into standardized status, marking readiness for widespread fielding under the Army’s long-term modernization program.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering launches DOD-funds center for additive manufacturing
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering has launched a $9 million Department of Defense-funded center focused on developing large-scale metal additive manufacturing methods. Led by Professor Bill King, the center aims to create advanced processes and technologies to rapidly produce large metal parts for military ground vehicles, enhancing supply chain agility and vehicle readiness. This initiative includes a factory demonstration facility equipped with large metal 3D printers for research and development, addressing challenges unique to producing parts three feet or larger. The collaboration with Army research centers will also boost regional manufacturing capabilities and support innovation in defense-related manufacturing.
U.S. Army and University of Hawaii partner to advance manufacturing technologies for warfighter protection and treatment
The U.S. Army’s DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center has partnered with the University of Hawaii to advance bioprinting and advanced manufacturing technologies aimed at enhancing warfighter protection and treatment capabilities. This collaboration focuses on developing 3D bioprinted organ models to study chemical and biological threats, such as burns and exposure to hazardous agents, and on creating deployable bioprinting stations for remote or austere environments. Additionally, the partnership seeks to strengthen advanced manufacturing networks in the Indo-Pacific region to improve supply chain resilience, defense innovation, and collaboration. These efforts support the Army’s mission to enhance soldier survivability and operational readiness through cutting-edge biofabrication and manufacturing technologies.
Miami University $1.5 million grant will gamify and improve manufacturing safety training
Miami University has received a $1.5 million grant to develop the Safety Immersion and Gamified Hazard Training (SIGHT) program, which uses artificial intelligence, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) to improve manufacturing safety training. The two-year initiative will create personalized, gamified safety modules that adapt to individual workers’ environments and skill levels, aiming to reduce preventable workplace injuries in Ohio’s manufacturing sector. The program includes a VR platform for customized hazard simulations and an AR system providing real-time safety coaching through sensor data, designed to be accessible without specialized equipment. By integrating advanced technologies into safety training, SIGHT targets improved hazard recognition and workforce readiness, especially benefiting small and mid-sized manufacturers lacking extensive safety resources.
MIT researchers outline how AI is improving cybersecurity
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management researchers Michael Siegel and Sander Zeijlemaker identified that while more 80% of ransomware attacks use artificial intelligence, AI can also be used to defend against cyberattacks. Their research identifies four emerging AI-powered capabilities. First, automated security hygiene uses AI to patch software, fix vulnerabilities, and manage access, reducing manual workloads and preventing common attacks that often exploit unpatched systems. Second, autonomous and deceptive defense systems enable real-time threat detection and adaptive responses, including tactics that confuse attackers and strengthen defenses. Third, augmented monitoring and reporting provide near-real-time risk visibility through AI-powered dashboards and simulations, helping executives foresee and mitigate supply chain and operational risks. Lastly, regulatory technology (RegTech) leverages AI to simplify complex compliance requirements by continuously monitoring and mapping regulations to company policies, which is critical in heavily regulated industrial environments.
Arizona State University and University of Michigan launch Center for Digital Twins in Manufacturing
Arizona State University, in partnership with the University of Michigan and funded by the NSF, is launching the Center for Digital Twins in Manufacturing to accelerate the adoption of scalable, real-time digital twin technologies in industry. The center will focus on overcoming barriers like updating, scaling, and integrating digital twins across complex manufacturing systems, supporting applications such as predictive maintenance, flexible robotics, and legacy system modernization. Industry collaborators will gain access to smart manufacturing test beds and cutting-edge research, while students will receive hands-on training to prepare for future manufacturing roles. This initiative aims to boost U.S. manufacturing competitiveness by connecting academic innovation with real-world industrial challenges.
National Science Foundation Future Manufacturing program investing $25.5 in U.S. manufacturing research and development
The National Science Foundation is investing $25.5 million in research and workforce development to advance the future of U.S. manufacturing through its Future Manufacturing (FM) program. This funding supports seven large research grants and nine seed projects focused on cutting-edge areas like biomanufacturing, cyber manufacturing, and quantum manufacturing. Projects include AI-driven recycling, robotics for additive manufacturing, and low-energy cement production, aiming to develop new manufacturing capabilities and materials. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and preparing a skilled workforce, the program strengthens U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing and innovation.
DOD-supported METAL program partners with Michigan Technological University
Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program, led by IACMI and supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, has partnered with Michigan Technological University to expand advanced workforce training in casting, forging, and machining. MTU will deliver METAL’s nationally recognized curriculum through a combination of online learning, hands-on boot camps, and instructor certification, with future modules incorporating automation training for critical manufacturing roles in the industrial landscape. The partnership will also extend METAL training to high school students through MTU’s Summer Youth Programs, introducing the next generation to metalworking, metallurgy, and materials science.
Michigan State University and Apple to launch Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit
Michigan State University is partnering with Apple to launch the Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, opening August 19, to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers nationwide. The academy offers free in-person and virtual training focused on AI integration, smart manufacturing, process optimization, and leadership skills to improve productivity and supply chain efficiency. Apple engineers and MSU experts will provide consulting services to help businesses adopt advanced manufacturing techniques. This initiative builds on MSU and Apple’s ongoing collaboration to advance American innovation and workforce development in manufacturing.
