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Advanced Manufacturing Webinar Series

ORAU Webinar Series logo

ORAU and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have partnered to bring ORAU’s member universities a six-webinar series aimed at creating opportunities and partnerships between ORAU’s members and the 18 Manufacturing USA Institutes. These one-hour discussions will focus on priority initiatives and ways to get involved with each institute. 

The webinars will take place monthly through January 2026 and will be recorded for those who are unable to attend live. Attendance is open to anyone at an ORAU member university, though research directors, research faculty, and tech transfer offices are especially encouraged to attend.

Impact Areas

Materials Institutes

Date: July 23, 2025

This webinar focused on materials from Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), and the National Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Institute (LIFT). This first webinar also included a special welcome from Manufacturing USA’s Director Mike Molnar, keynote speaker from the ORAU Annual Meeting in March. View welcome presentation (.PDF, 1.2 MB)

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) is working to enable a manufacturing-based revolution by transforming traditional fibers, yarns, and fabrics into highly sophisticated, integrated and networked devices and systems. View presentation slides (.PDF, 2.4 MB)

The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) is committed to accelerating development and adoption of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies for low-cost, energy-efficient manufacturing of advanced polymer composites for vehicles, wind turbines, and compressed gas storage. View presentation slides (.PDF, 10.1 MB)

The National Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Institute (LIFT) is working to develop and deploy advanced lightweight materials manufacturing technologies.

Speakers:

  • Cathy Fore, Senior Director, University Partnerships, ORAU
  • Mike Molnar, Director, Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, Manufacturing USA
  • Natasha Spackey, Vice President, New Business Development & Partnerships, AFFOA
  • Joe Steele, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs & Ecosystem at LIFT
  • Chad Duty, Chief Executive Officer, IACMII