NSF Engines Development Award:
Advancing carbon centric circular economy technologies for advanced manufacturing solutions (KY, TN)
The research, education, economic development, industrial and manufacturing leaders of the Southeastern Commerce Corridor (SCC) of Kentucky and Tennessee received an NSF Engine Development Award to establish a coalition whose mission is to Generate Advanced Manufacturing Excellence for Change (GAME Change) in the Southeastern Commerce Corridor (SCC).
By 2034, the Southeastern Commerce Corridor (SCC) will be a global leader in next-generation manufacturing and supply chain innovation for the circular economy, supported by an inclusive and diverse workforce.
With a focus on circular manufacturing including transportation and infrastructure, and our two technology pillars: digital integration and full product lifecycle, GAME Change will leverage unmet needs to catalyze use-inspired research and translate innovations to practice, grow and reskill the regions’ diverse workforce and create a circular economy predicated on a diverse ecosystem of partners with shared values working together to achieve our goals.
Game Change Leadership Team
Project Director
Ian McClure, J.D., LL.M., University of Kentucky
Talent & Workforce Development
Dr. Kris Williams, KCTCS
Innovation Leadership
Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Use-Inspired Research & Development
Dr. Doug Adams, Vanderbilt University
IDEA Engine
Kayla Meisner, Kentucky Commercialization Ventures
Ecosystem of Partners & Industry
Marc Gibson, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Innovation Translation to Practice
Robert Turner, Tennessee State University
Scale Centers & Vendor Studios
Will Metcalf, University of Louisville
Evaluation & Assessment
Dr. Shannon Sampson, University of Kentucky
Speed to Market
Vijay Kamenini, Metals Innovation Initiative
Core Partners
KENTUCKY
- University of Kentucky (lead organization)
- Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
- Kentucky Community and Technical College System
- Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation
- University of Louisville
- Western Kentucky University
TENNESSEE
- Launch Tennessee
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)
- Tennessee State University
- University of Tennessee Chattanooga
- University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Vanderbilt University
In its Development Phase, GAME Change will further organize its coalition and design an actionable strategic plan to investigate use-inspired problems, test solutions and translate innovations to market related to gaps in sustainable Next-Generation Manufacturing (NGM) and logistics.
Current State
- Extracted materials
- Disconnected processes and supply chain
- Wasteful processes
- Reliance on carbon intensive energy
- Skilled workforce shortage with few knowledgeable jobs
Enabling Technologies
- Digital Integration Technologies for circular manufacturing and supply chains
- Full-Product Lifecycle Technologies for byproduct recovery and reuse and product lifestyle design
- Innovations for agile and resilient supply chain
- Collaborative robotics to improve workforce engagement, well-being. and inclusivity
Future Vision
- Region leading in development of and practice of circular manufacturing
- Reduced raw materials
- Efficient processes
- Reduced environmental impact, especially CO2
- Distributed, inclusive, and accessible workforce
- Efficient and agile supply chain
- Established ecosystem that continues innovation in and leadership of circular manufacturing
Result
- Economic benefits
- Environmental benefits
- Societal Benefits
- Sustainable ecosystem of expertise, experience, and innovation
GAME Change Engine
- Creating community of practice in circular manufacturing among industries and universities
- Creating diverse and educated workforce for future manufacturing (K-12, Community College, and University)
- Providing use inspired research and development to support industry transformation
- Removing societal, technical and regulatory barriers to manufacturer transformation
- Growing support ecosystem to advance innovation and improvements long term
Research reported on this website was supported by the National Science Foundation under Award #2302947. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
