The Rochester-based REMADE Institute has awarded $4,860,000 for 10 research projects aimed at moving recycling, remanufacturing and materials-recovery technologies closer to commercial use.
The projects will test technologies involving critical minerals and rare earth elements, aluminum, textiles, electronic scrap, diesel engine blocks, steel and paper. Several include Rochester Institute of Technology researchers or other Finger Lakes organizations.
REMADE said the demonstration, verification and validation projects begin at Technology Readiness Level 6 and are expected to reach Level 7 by their conclusion. Those levels cover the stage between early research and commercial viability, where technologies can struggle to attract the support needed for broader deployment.
Four projects list RIT as a team member. They will explore computer vision and artificial intelligence for electronics recycling with Sunnking Sustainable Solutions; biological recovery of critical metals with REEgen; design software that incorporates circularity into new products with Trane Technologies; and high-speed laser repair of cast-iron diesel engine blocks with Synergy Additive Manufacturing.
RIT is also part of a fifth project with Goodwill of the Finger Lakes to demonstrate an advanced textile sorting and dismantling system.
Other selected projects focus on textile-to-textile recycling, recycled aluminum alloys, tire cord made from scrap steel, biotechnology to improve recycled paper fibers and the conversion of aerospace aluminum scrap into new high-performance products.
The awards are cost-shared between REMADE and the recipients. Some of the organizations selected in this round are joining the institute for the first time, according to the announcement.
REMADE Chief Executive Officer Nabil Nasr said the investments are intended to help move new technologies toward full commercialization and deliver energy, manufacturing, environmental and economic benefits. Chief Technology Officer Magdi Azer said continued investment is needed to move promising research through the gap between development and market use.
Founded in 2017 in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, REMADE is a 150-member public-private partnership focused on advancing a circular economy in U.S. manufacturing. The institute said it has launched or selected 103 research, development and workforce projects with a combined value of $104 million.
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