The Defense Fabric Discovery Center — a collaboration between Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Research and Development and Engineering Center — opened late last year has received a $3.9 million grant from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2), which allows the state to match federal investments made in the Manufacturing USA institutes including AFFOA. The funding will support the second phase of research and development into advanced fiber and fabric technologies for defense applications including an investment in equipment that will allow for end-to-end prototyping. The announcement came from the Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
“By supporting important projects and organizations like this, the Commonwealth’s M2I2 program helps ensure Massachusetts continues to lead in innovation and advanced manufacturing,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The research and development of these revolutionary materials will have a direct impact on everyday safety of our brave
service men and women.”
“The Commonwealth’s investment in the Defense Fabric Discovery Center creates a significant, new research and development capability at MIT Lincoln Laboratory,” said Eric Evans, Director, MIT Lincoln Laboratory. “We are looking forward to working with others in the community to develop new fiber and fabric technology breakthroughs.”
January/February 2018
