Last week, The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) and the US Battery Machine Builders, in collaboration with LEAP Manufacturing, hosted a groundbreaking workshop focused on the challenges and advances in tooling and equipment for battery manufacturing. The event brought together industry leaders, government officials, and academic experts to discuss critical issues and explore innovative solutions in this rapidly evolving field. The collaborative nature of the workshop was key for developing innovative solutions.

The workshop’s goals were to accelerate US technological leadership and to promote emerging manufacturing technologies toward achieving the NDIS Strategic Priorities. These technologies included artificial intelligence (AI), smart manufacturing, modularity, and additive manufacturing. By addressing these areas, the organizers aimed to enhance US global competitiveness in advanced manufacturing and strengthen supply chain resilience. Discussion topics for the one-day event included:

• Identify and prioritize significant challenges in Tooling & Equipment for the domestic battery manufacturing industry
• Conceive innovative solutions to help secure economic competitiveness and national security for the United States
• Develop actionable strategies that equip domestic manufacturers to “leapfrog” the foreign competition
• Determine how the government can best play a role

UT Dallas, the US Battery Machine Builders, and LEAP Manufacturing believe the workshop positively impacted and will sustain collaboration between academia, industry, and government to further the domestic battery manufacturing ecosystem.