Oak Ridge joins BioMADE to advance domestic biomanufacturing

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has joined BioMADE, a national institute focused on manufacturing with biological systems in the United States, strengthening links among ORNL research, industry needs and pathways toward commercial-scale production of chemicals and materials. The membership connects ORNL’s capabilities in plant-based raw materials, customized microbes, materials development and production scale-up with BioMADE’s network of more than 275 member organizations, programs, services and pilot- and demonstration-scale facilities.

ORNL participates in several Department of Energy initiatives that address different parts of the bioindustrial development process. Through the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, the laboratory supports work on plant-based raw materials and customized microbes. Scale-up research associated with the Agile BioFoundry examines ways to advance biological processes toward larger production systems, while the Manufacturing Science Division analyzes materials and production processes. Together, these activities give ORNL researchers access to biological, computational and manufacturing expertise that can be applied across the pathway from feedstock development to finished chemicals and materials.

ORNL Biosciences Division Director Jesse Labbé said the membership creates a connection between discovery and deployment. He said combining ORNL’s capabilities in biology, computing, materials and manufacturing with BioMADE’s national member network and facilities could help move promising technologies toward products made in America. BioMADE Director of Strategic Partnerships Laura Vitko said ORNL adds expertise from the Department of Energy national laboratory pipeline and that the organizations would work together on scale-up challenges and domestic biomanufacturing.

ORNL Associate Laboratory Director Kate Evans described bioindustrial scale-up as an integrated systems challenge rather than a problem confined to biology. Moving a promising idea from a laboratory to a factory floor requires expertise in organisms ranging from microbes to plants, process development, data analytics, modeling, materials performance, feedstock logistics and manufacturing systems such as robotics, automation and digital tools. ORNL teams can model and optimize bioprocesses, characterize enzymes and biomaterials, and evaluate bioderived materials for use in polymers, composites and additive manufacturing.

The DOE Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL provides capabilities in advanced materials, additive and composite manufacturing, machining, robotics, digital manufacturing, materials testing and industry-scale technology demonstration. Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies Group Leader Soydan Ozcan said manufacturing science determines whether biological building blocks can become consistent, cost-effective products, and that the facility allows scientists to address processing and scale-up requirements early. For ORNL researchers, BioMADE membership can provide more direct access to industry needs, strengthen relationships with member organizations and connect research with pathways for further development, licensing or adoption. ORNL Associate Laboratory Director for Energy Science and Technology Robert Wagner said BioMADE connects the laboratory’s breadth across scientific boundaries and scales with a national network focused on domestic manufacturing. The arrangement also creates opportunities to connect ORNL education and training with efforts to prepare scientific, engineering and technical professionals for bioindustrial manufacturing careers. BioMADE, a Manufacturing Innovation Institute sponsored by the U.S. Department of War, is also a member of Manufacturing USA, a national network focused on public-private collaboration in advanced manufacturing, supply chains, education and workforce development. UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the DOE Office of Science.

Subject of Research: Collaboration between Oak Ridge National Laboratory and BioMADE on scaling biological manufacturing for domestic production

Article Title: ORNL joins BioMADE to advance US bioindustrial manufacturing

Article References: ORNL joins BioMADE to advance US bioindustrial manufacturing. Original publication (Bibliographic details unavailable.)

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Keywords: biomanufacturing, bioindustrial manufacturing, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, BioMADE, bioprocess scale-up, industrial biotechnology, manufacturing science, biobased materials, advanced manufacturing, domestic supply chains, ORNL, joins