Central Michigan University Research Corporation

PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO EXPAND THE CRITICAL MATERIALS ALLIANCE (CMA) AS A PLACE-BASED INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO POSITION RURAL MICHIGAN AS A NATIONAL HUB FOR CRITICAL MATERIALS STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE TRAINING, APPLIED TESTING, AND INDUSTRY COLLABORATION. THE PROJECT ESTABLISHES A STANDARDS-DRIVEN, SHARED-USE LABORATORY ENVIRONMENT THAT INTEGRATES VALIDATION, TECHNICAL COLLABORATION, AND COMMERCIALIZATION INTO A COORDINATED INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM. THIS CENTRALIZED CAPABILITY DIRECTLY SUPPORTS NATIONAL PRIORITIES RELATED TO DOMESTIC SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, AND CRITICAL MATERIALS SECURITY.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE RECIPIENT WILL ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED SHARED-USE LABORATORY ENVIRONMENT, INCORPORATING ADVANCED INSTRUMENTATION AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE TO ANALYZE NATURAL AND ENGINEERED SYSTEMS. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY TESTING, MINERAL CHARACTERIZATION, CHEMICAL PROCESSING, AND THE INTEGRATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS FOR PREDICTIVE DATA MODELING. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROJECT WILL IMPLEMENT A DUAL-USE OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK SUPPORTING BOTH OPEN-ACCESS COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION AND A SECURE, COMPLIANCE-DRIVEN RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE EXPANDED DOMESTIC CAPABILITIES RELATED TO CRITICAL MATERIALS DISCOVERY, CHARACTERIZATION, PROCESSING, AND RECOVERY. THE PROJECT WILL ACCELERATE COMMERCIALIZATION PATHWAYS THROUGH INTEGRATED TESTING, VALIDATION, AND APPLIED INDUSTRY RESEARCH WORKFLOWS. FURTHERMORE, IT WILL ESTABLISH A SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL STUDENT TRAINING AND INTERNSHIPS WHILE FORMALIZING RECURRING REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENSURE LONG-TERM LABORATORY SUSTAINABILITY.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS, REGIONAL STARTUPS, AND SMALL BUSINESSES WHO GAIN LOW-BARRIER ACCESS TO SHARED ADVANCED INFRASTRUCTURE AND SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL EXPERTISE. UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM HIGH-LEVEL STEM TRAINING ON INDUSTRY-GRADE INSTRUMENTATION, IMPROVING THEIR CAREER COMPETITIVENESS. COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND FEDERALLY ALIGNED ENTITIES IN THE ENERGY STORAGE, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, AND DEFENSE SECTORS WILL BENEFIT FROM APPLIED SOLUTIONS AND ACCELERATED PRODUCT VALIDATION. AT A SYSTEMIC LEVEL, THE REGIONAL ECONOMY OF RURAL MICHIGAN WILL BENEFIT FROM JOB GROWTH AND INVESTMENT ATTRACTION, WHILE THE NATION BENEFITS FROM A MORE SECURE SUPPLY CHAIN.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO SUBAWARD FUNDS.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CORPORATION SBAHQ22I0092 FY 23 CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY PROJECT

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CORPORATION - FY24 CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING