AMO’s 2017 Year in Review Highlight Reel

The Advanced Manufacturing Office is the only technology development office within the U.S. Government dedicated to improving the energy and material efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of manufacturing.

So let’s take a trip down memory lane and recap five top moments from 2017.

Text on screen: Advanced Manufacturing Office 2017 Year In Review

Number 5:

In April, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory produced the world’s first fully functional 3D printed excavator stick in just five hours. It does more than just move dirt; it demonstrates the latest advancements in additive manufacturing.

Number 4:

Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance teamed up with experts at Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence Berkeley National Labs to explore ways of using advanced supercomputer modeling techniques to identify ways to reduce energy and water consumption during the process of making paper. This partnership was made possible through AMO’s High Performance Computing for Manufacturing Initiative.

In May, the group released its final report on the first phase of the pilot project that demonstrates how to tackle this industry challenge.

Number 3:

In June, AMO issued its first 50001 Ready recognition to Four Seasons Produce, Inc., for implementing an energy management system at its fruit and vegetable refrigerated warehouse facility in Pennsylvania. It resulted in a 2.1 percent year-over-year improvement in energy intensity.

Number 2:

In July, the Navy’s Disruptive Technology Lab, in partnership with Oak Ridge’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, created the military’s first 3D-printed submersible hull. The 30-foot 3D-printed hull reduced production costs by 90 percent and shortened production time—saving the Navy time, money, and energy.

Number 1:

In December, students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville participated in an educational research project led by AMO’s Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation. Students were challenged to modernize a popular childhood pastime by redesigning snow sleds with more innovative techniques and materials. Students designed, built, and tested three composite snow sled prototypes that were lighter in weight and more durable than traditional snow sleds.

Progress and innovations like these are the foundation for economic growth and job creation in the U.S., which was the basis of every AMO partnership and project in 2017.

Learn more at energy.gov/eere/AMO.