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NIST in Illinois

$6.5M

from NIST to organizations in the state of Illinois since 2021

Advanced manufacturing

  • In FY 2024, NIST awarded nearly $1 million to Lewis University for semiconductor research equipment and $2 million to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for semiconductor workforce training programs.
  • Illinois manufacturers rely on NIST reference materials for metals, glass, ceramics, fuels, lubricants, cements, polymers and more to ensure small engineering tolerances and the highest quality control for parts where failure would cause catastrophic losses. 
  • Since FY 2020, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, part of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, has received $29 million in federal funds from NIST and over $28 million matched in nonfederal funds to develop Illinois’ current and future manufacturing leaders. 

The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center helped K&K Abrasives in Chicago develop a new e-commerce website to expand its market reach. As a result, the company realized $800,000 in new and retained sales. 

Automotive

Food and agriculture

  • NIST’s library of reference materials helps to ensure that foods grown or eaten in the U.S. are safe from contaminants and allergens that could cause illness to consumers. Illinois companies also rely on NIST reference materials to check their test methods and help them comply with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act. 
  • NIST develops and updates inspection procedures and trains state regulatory officials on how to verify the net contents of packaged foods to protect consumers and businesses and ensure fair trading for grocery stores, restaurants and customers.

Biotechnology, life sciences and health care

  • NIST reference materials help Illinois’ biotechnology industry and innovate more quickly with quantitative analytical measurement tools for nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites and cell systems that manufacturers use to monitor and improve manufacturing methods and products.

  • The NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center provides data libraries that speed molecule identification and quality control for Illinois’ pharmaceutical industry. This data is so widely trusted that it is packaged with nearly every mass spectrometer sold.   

  • NIST’s calibration materials for magnetic resonance imaging help medical researchers develop quantitative tests that can rapidly determine if treatments for glioblastoma and other cancers are working, speeding clinical decisions. 

CHIPS Funding

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Proposed Funding by Natcast
$2,000,000
Led by The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Illinois Semiconductor Workforce Network (ISWN) will use anticipated funding to address the critical shortage of skilled professionals in the U.S. semiconductor industry. This initiative will develop a diverse, highly skilled workforce through industry-aligned training programs. By collaborating with semiconductor ecosystem partners, Grainger Engineering will equip students with cutting-edge skills and career opportunities, strengthening America's technological future in this crucial sector.

MEP Success Stories

Injection Molding Company Looks to IMEC for Leadership Development Training

Reported Year
2024
Midwest Molding Solutions has been experiencing tremendous growth, leading to the promotion of several new managers with limited management experience. To address this leadership skills gap Midwest Molding Solutions determined they wanted to transform their managers from being just "doers" into effective leaders who would delegate tasks

Manufacturer Receives Website Assistance Through Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented Grant

Reported Year
2024
Before contacting the IMEC team, part of the MEP National Network™, Hookset had both of their websites audited and found that both needed significant work to generate better conversions. The website had recently been rebuilt, so Hookset was seeking assistance with SEO (search engine optimization) and backend support. Opportunity struck when the

News & Updates

Learn how NIST improves the lives of all Americans by conducting research and fostering collaborations that make possible everything from reliable vaccine storage and fair fuel transactions to next-generation MRIs and fair stock trades. Check out NIST Works for You.