Accelerating Readiness: LIFT’s $9 Million Push to Advance Ceramics and CMCs
Release Date: 10/13/2025
Redefining Marine Composites Lifecycle: A Closer Look at the MarineShift360 Impact Accelerator Program
Composites Weekly
On this epiosde, and join the podcast to discuss the MarineShift360, Impact Accelerator program. It's a year-long initiative equipping marine organizations with lifecycle assessment expertise, and access to an industry-wide sustainability network. Ollie is the Founder of and the program director of Marine Shift 360. Alessandro is the Chief Technology Officer at . Three companies were selected for the 2026 MarineShift360 Impact Accelerator, covering the full vessel lifecycle from materials to propulsion to end-of-life. One of those companies is nlcomp, an Italian deep-tech startup...
info_outline
ISS Tested Composites for Low Earth Orbit and Deep Space Travel
Composites Weekly
On this episode, of , joins the show to discuss the development of next-generation composite materials engineered for deep-space travel. He shares the origin of their work with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with hydrogen-rich polybenzoxazine resins, and how these materials have been engineered into composites that integrate structural performance with radiation attenuation. We also unpack the results from exposure on the International Space Station (ISS), where these composites were subjected to the harsh conditions of low Earth orbit for several...
info_outline
Bio-Derived Barrier Coatings: A New Frontier in Sustainable Composites
Composites Weekly
On this episode, researchers and from the join the show to discuss their research in developing a fully bio-derived composite coating that is grown, not manufactured. By combining edible fungal mycelium with cellulose nanofibrils, they have developed a barrier coating that can be formed directly on paper and textiles through a low-energy process. The result is a highly water-resistant surface with contact angles approaching 140° and significantly reduced water absorption, pointing to a viable path toward replacing traditional plastic-based barrier coatings. We'll...
info_outline
Discussing Arclin's $1.8 billion Acquisition of DuPont’s Aramids Business (Kevlar® & Nomex® brands)
Composites Weekly
On this episode, Teong Tan, Arclin’s Chief Research Officer joins the podcast to discuss Arclin's $1.8 billion acquisition of DuPont’s aramid business, adding the iconic Kevlar® and Nomex® brands to its portfolio. Teong leads the company’s innovation agenda with a focus on strategic growth, talent development, and high-performing teams.
info_outline
What Most Companies Miss When Hiring Industry Leaders - Interview with John Kehoe
Composites Weekly
On this episode, John Kehoe of joins the show. Boaz isn’t your typical recruiting firm—they operate as strategic partners, using a proven, deeply embedded process to understand business goals, culture, and long-term objectives before ever presenting a candidate. It’s a fundamentally different approach to hiring—one that’s built around precision, alignment, and impact. In this conversation, we unpack what separates great hiring organizations from the rest, why so many companies struggle to attract and retain top talent, and how a more disciplined, strategic recruiting process can...
info_outline
Material Sovereignty: The Race to Reinvent Carbon Fiber - Interview with Aaron Fitzgerald of Mars Materials
Composites Weekly
On this episode , CEO of , joins the show. Carbon fiber has long been a cornerstone of aerospace and defense—but the reality is, the supply chain behind it is anything but secure. Today, much of the world’s high-performance carbon fiber depends on globally concentrated precursor production, leaving critical industries exposed at a time when resilience matters more than ever. But what if you could rethink carbon fiber from the ground up—making it not only domestically sourced, but actually carbon-negative… and still capable of meeting the demands of fighter-jet-grade applications?...
info_outline
Previewing UTK and IACMI Demo Day at the Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility
Composites Weekly
On this episode, , joins the podcast to discuss the upcoming Demo Day at Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF). Krishnan is an Assistant Professor, Mechanical, Aerospace & Biomedical Engineering Department and Affiliated with Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. This upcoming event on Wednesday, March 25th, will provide an opportunity to see the facility in operation through live machinery demonstrations and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies led by the facility's undergraduate and graduate student researchers and staff. ...
info_outline
Discussing the America Makes Composites (AACAMS) Project with Steven Floyd and Clark Patterson
Composites Weekly
On this episode, we’re looking at a project that could say a lot about where advanced manufacturing is headed next. America Makes has awarded UDRI $450,000 for its AACAMS (Affordable and Agile Composite Additive Manufactured Structures) project, focused on pushing forward the integration of additive manufacturing and advanced composites for aerospace and defense. The DOD has prioritized continuous fiber additive manufacturing (CFAM) for its ability to produce strong, lightweight parts by reinforcing polymers with continuous carbon or glass fibers for high-performance applications. and join...
info_outline
Interviews from Day 2 at JEC World 2026
Composites Weekly
On this episode, we feature more interviews from the 2nd day of JEC World 2026. These include a mix of Innovation Award winners, and Startup Booster finalists.
info_outline
Interviews from Day 1 at JEC World 2026
Composites Weekly
On this episode, we feature several interviews from day one of JEC World 2026, including some Innovation Award winners, and Startup Booster finalists.
info_outlineOn this episode, Joe Steele of LIFT joins the podcast to share some recent news. Their organization has been awarded a contract to accelerate the development of ceramic-based materials for use in industrial and defense applications.
This new four-year, $9 million “Critical Materials Processing” program will advance the state of technology and readiness for ceramics, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), and ultrahigh-temperature materials.
LIFT is an accelerator connecting advanced materials, manufacturing processes, systems engineering and talent development enhancing America’s manufacturing competitiveness, national economy, and security.