IACMI in Colorado
Innovation in Energy
The staff at the Composites Manufacturing Education and Technology (CoMET) Facility conducts research for U.S. energy and other manufacturing industries, enabling them to leverage advanced composite materials and manufacturing processes.
Equipment + Expertise = Opportunity
CoMET is the composites research arm of the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The facility supports NLR’s priorities for an affordable and secure energy future. Working with industry partners, CoMET has developed new composite materials, automated processes and recycling paths for structures used in wind, water and hybrid types of power generation – with many cross-over applications for other industries.
CoMET is known for its hands-on team of engineers, technicians, roboticists, computer scientists and academic researchers. They have expertise in materials characterization, modeling, simulation and every stage of wind turbine blade manufacturing, finishing and testing. The facility frequently hosts R&D teams from U.S. energy industry OEMs, suppliers and universities.
CoMET was formed in 2017 as a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy, NREL, IACMI and the state of Colorado. The 10,000-square-foot facility is located on the 304-acre Flatirons Campus near Boulder. It is a site well suited to large-scale experiments.
Partners have included the Colorado Office of Development and International Trade, regional universities, GE Vernova, Siemens Gamesa, Vestas, TPI Composites, Arkema and other OEMs, materials, and chemical suppliers.
IACMI Member Benefits
IACMI members can leverage CoMET for:
- On-Site Expertise
- Material Characterization
- Structural Testing and Evaluation
- Workforce Development and Training
- Modeling, Simulation and Prototyping
- Automation and Robotics
- Composite Recycling Research
R&D Capabilities
Key Equipment and Technology:
- Kuka Industrial Robot on Track, 300-KG Payload Capacity
- 12 kN, 100 kN, 250 kN, and 500 kN Load Frames for Material Characterization
- Tooling Molds: 9M and 13M Wind Blades
- Composite Cutting and Machining Equipment
- One-Off Robotics 3D Metal Printing System with Meltio Print Head
Representative Projects:
- Quality Assurance: Blade Defect Prevention and Reduction
- Product Development: Improved Composites Structural Damping
- Material Invention: PECAN Bio-Based Recyclable Thermosetting Resin
- Process Improvement: Automation of Wind Turbine Blade Manufacturing
- Lifecycle Analysis: Recycling Blades Made with PECAN, Other Resin Systems
Technical Area Expert
Energy Technology Area Director & Working Group Co-Leader
CoMET facility at NLR Research
Consortium Council Member