NC State Partner Institutes Bolster U.S. Manufacturing Industry

A strong manufacturing industry in the United States leads to steady jobs, increased gross domestic product, healthy supply chains and a secure military. Recognizing the United States’ need to compete in a global manufacturing marketplace, Congress established the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation in 2014. Known as Manufacturing USA, this network brings together academic, industry and government partners to build up manufacturing technology in diverse areas. 

NC State University, a powerhouse in research and innovation, is a top Manufacturing USA partner. We’ve been part of seven manufacturing institutes — only one other academic institution has worked with so many.  

We have a vast knowledge base, shown by the breadth of sectors we’re involved with: power distribution, textiles, biomanufacturing and manufacturing technology. Our extensive research infrastructure bolsters our expertise; NC State’s Centennial Campus is home to cutting-edge labs, centers and core facilities. With these assets, NC State plays a key role in strengthening U.S. manufacturing capabilities. 

Here’s how we’re building up American manufacturing, sector by sector.

Power Distribution

PowerAmerica is ushering in the next generation of efficient electrification by working with its 82 members to accelerate commercialization of power semiconductor chips and the electronics they enable. It’s the only Manufacturing USA institute managed by an academic partner: NC State.

Semiconductor chips are used in numerous ways, including vehicles, data centers, consumer electronics, appliances, military defense systems. PowerAmerica’s work focuses on efficient wide-bandgap semiconductor chips, which support higher voltages, frequencies and temperatures than those of traditional semiconductor materials. To boost U.S. semiconductor research and development, the CHIPS and Science Act was signed in 2022.

PowerAmerica has already brought about advances in semiconductor technology. As its lead institution, NC State enables PowerAmerica to develop research projects, administer proposals and advocate for its dozens of members.

“PowerAmerica is a national center that serves the country,” said Victor Veliadis, PowerAmerica’s executive director and an NC State electrical engineering professor. “The work we do in fabricating chips has been successful — they don’t leave our shores, and they don’t need to be reshored.”

We offer resources primed to support PowerAmerica. The Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Engineering Research Center, based on Centennial Campus, leads other national universities in improving the security and sustainability of electric grids. And under NC State’s administrative leadership, PowerAmerica is a self-sustaining manufacturing institute funded by and advocating for its members.

“When you run a big program and you do well, it tells the government, ‘You come to NC State, you’re going to be successful,’” Veliadis said.

Biomanufacturing

The biomanufacturing industry uses cells from living organisms to make products that other processes cannot or to replace unsustainable processes. It’s a vital industry in North Carolina especially — dozens of biomanufacturing companies have built locations in the Research Triangle area. As North Carolina’s flagship STEM university, NC State plays a key role in building up the next generation of biomanufacturing leaders. 

We have the infrastructure to grow a powerful biomanufacturing industry on the state and national level. The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC), located on Centennial Campus, offers training opportunities and develops skilled professionals for the industry’s workforce. The Biotechnology Program (BIT) studies the molecular side of biotechnology, and the Genetic Engineering and Society Center (GES) examines societal implications of genetic engineering used in biomanufacturing. Together, these units offer a dynamic, interdisciplinary approach to supporting our biomanufacturing institutes.

The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), uses biomanufacturing technology to create medicines and vaccines. Its goal is to discover and implement new technologies that will make pharmaceuticals safer, more available worldwide, and more efficient to produce. As a partner, NC State has worked on projects with mRNA vaccines, adeno-associated virus vectors,…