Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative Launch at The University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC (09/24/2020) — Today, after years of planning, The University of South Carolina Aiken hosted Department of Energy dignitaries, members of the Aiken County Commission of Higher Education, members from the S.C. Statehouse, Adjutant General Van McCarty, President Robert Caslen, President MacVean of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Dr. Majidi of the Savannah River National Lab and an audience of more than 100 guests to celebrate the official launch of the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative.

The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative-known as the AMC-will be a $50 million-dollar state-of-the-art facility housing advance research in engineering, the sciences and new technologies.

Joining the university's Chancellor, Sandra J. Jordan at the podium in today's ceremony were The Honorable Henry McMaster, Governor of South Carolina; Congressman Joe Wilson; The Honorable Paul Dabbar, Under Secretary for Science; The Honorable Rick Osbon, Mayor of Aiken and UofSC Aiken alumnus; and emcee Tony Polk, Project Director for the Department of Energy at the Savannah River Site. Many Department of Energy leaders, National Guard, legislators, city and county officials were present for the ceremony.

"Located outside the Savannah River Site's parameter fencing, the AMC is designed to maximize involvement with industry and education. Here, the SRNL's talented scientists, engineers, chemists and technologiests will be able to leverage their considerable research capabilities to enhance 21st-century industry and manufacturing," said Jordan.

"The Department of Energy's investment in the future of the Savannah River National Laboratory and simultaneously in this region and the Department's commitment to providing an high-quality work environment where scientists, engineers, and technologists explore the outer boundaries of innovation-continues to inspire me," Jordan added.

"Today's brief ceremony is significant for so many reasons. We are poised to change the landscape of this university's campus literally but also change the relationship of the Savannah River National Laboratory's research and discovery to manufacturing, industry, education, and the new businesses yet to come."

Governor Henry McMaster congratulated the university and stated, "This project will be an economic driver for the region and the state. The AMC will maximize industry and education, and create more jobs for the state of South Carolina."

Congressman Wilson stated that, "The University of South Carolina Aiken is a prime location for the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative. After working on this project for over 5 years in Congress, I am grateful to see it come to fruition and look forward to the jobs and innovation this facility will create. I appreciate Chancellor Sandra Jordan's dedication to creating a positive future for the next generation, and I am excited to see so many advocates of this project."

In his remarks, Mayor Rick Osbon recalled the origin of the site "We can all agree that Pesident Harry S. Truman's decision to create the Savannah River Site in 1950 was an auspicious one for our city. We heeded the call to devote ourselves to the defense of our nation with the newest and most critical technology of the era. Seventy years later, the Savannah River Site is still committed to meeting the needs of our country and it is home of the one of only seventeen National Labs."

DOE Under Secretary of Science, Paul Dabbar referred to the project as a "trifectecta " which leveraged federal agencies, private enterprise, and academe.

A scale model of the facility that was produced with 3-D printers at the SRNL was presented to the university.

Media Attachments