The University of Oklahoma and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have partnered to create an advanced additive manufacturing center in Norman, OK, leveraging OU’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory and ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. This center aims to develop innovative metal additive manufacturing solutions for aerospace and national defense. The collaboration, involving OU’s Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute (OADII) and ORNL, will enhance research, training, and workforce development in metal additive manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing, machining, and data analytics.
“This long-term partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory fully aligns with the recently published update of OU’s strategic plan,” said Gen Robin Rand (USAF, ret.), OADII’s executive director. “Our deliberate push to advance additive manufacturing research is fueling innovation and economic prosperity in Oklahoma and reducing risk to our nation’s defense.”
Through OADII and the Gallogly College of Engineering, the University of Oklahoma supports Department of Defense priorities such as sustainment and modernization, and ORNL brings unparalleled technical capabilities in materials science and advanced manufacturing, providing the partnership with the tools and talent to drive innovation.
“Our college is thrilled to enter into this partnership,” said Zahed Siddique, associate dean for research at the Gallogly College of Engineering. “Collaborating on cutting-edge manufacturing technology will enrich the student educational experience, expand research impact and enhance economic development opportunities in Oklahoma.”
The center is expected to play a key role in supporting sustainment and mission readiness at Tinker Air Force Base and other critical centers across the region, including the Air Force Sustainment Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
“This partnership between OU and ORNL will have substantial impact on our national security, particularly by advancing qualified additive manufacturing processes for the sustainment and readiness of U.S. Air Force assets,” said Moe Khaleel, ORNL associate laboratory director for National Security Sciences. “When the great people at our two institutions get together, with our collective resources, we will do big things for the nation.”
ORNL will leverage the capabilities and lessons learned in establishing the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, the nation’s foremost advanced manufacturing research environment.
“By combining ORNL’s deep expertise in advanced manufacturing with OU’s strong academic and research foundation, we are creating a dynamic ecosystem for innovation,” said Craig Blue, ORNL’s chief manufacturing officer and director of Defense Manufacturing Programs. “This collaboration is not only about advancing technology—it’s about accelerating the transition of breakthrough solutions into real-world defense applications where speed, precision, and readiness matter most.”
For more information: Oklahoma Aerospace and Defence Innovation Institute
Image: Moe Khaleel, associate laboratory director, National Security Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, shakes hands with Carol L. Silva, interim vice president for research and partnerships, University of Oklahoma, during the signing ceremony.
