NextFlex Announces New Alabama Node at Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Workshop
Dear NextFlex friends and colleagues:
Leaders from industry, academia, and government gathered in Huntsville last week to celebrate a major milestone for U.S. manufacturing innovation: the launch of the NextFlex Alabama Node, announced during a two-day Automotive and Aerospace Hybrid Electronics Workshop hosted by Auburn University and NextFlex. The new Alabama Node will strengthen U.S. capabilities in hybrid and additive electronics manufacturing, drive workforce development, and build regional supply chain resilience. The Node will be led by Auburn University in partnership with the State of Alabama, with support from a $20 million state grant to expand research, manufacturing infrastructure, and commercialization pathways statewide.
The workshop opened with welcoming remarks from Professor Pradeep Lall of Auburn University and Dr. Robert Smith of Boeing, followed by my remarks. I used this time to emphasize our Institute’s mission to accelerate commercialization of hybrid electronics and strengthen national manufacturing competitiveness. The launch of the Alabama Node represents another significant step toward realizing our national vision for hybrid electronics innovation and commercialization. Together, we’re accelerating the pace of innovation and ensuring that U.S. manufacturing remains globally competitive for decades to come.
The announcement also featured remarks from state and federal officials, including U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Representative Barry Moore, Alabama State Senator Sam Givhan, Alabama State Representative Rex Reynolds, and Tommy Battle, Jr., the Mayor of Huntsville, who highlighted the critical role of manufacturing in regional economic growth and national security.
Across two days, the workshop showcased how hybrid electronics are advancing critical sectors such as aerospace, automotive, defense, and industrial systems. Key sessions included:
- Economic Development and Workforce Panel featuring industry leaders from Toyota, AVNIK Defense, and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, which was moderated by Dr. Courtney Taylor, Executive Director of Accelerate MS
- Aerospace Technology Session with presentations from Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and NanoPrintek on high-reliability electronics for extreme environments
- Defense Applications Session exploring flexible electronics for avionics, munitions, and mission-critical systems, led by Lockheed Martin, IS4S, and Boeing experts
- Student Research Showcase featuring 20+ university-led projects in additive electronics, flexible sensors, soft materials, and wearable technologies—demonstrating the region’s growing pipeline of engineering talent
The Alabama Node is the fourth regional Node in the NextFlex network, joining those in New York, Massachusetts, and Missouri.
Led by Professor Pradeep Lall, a world-renowned expert in additive electronics, the Node will focus on:
- Advanced packaging for harsh environments
- Additive printed electronics
- Automotive and aerospace integration
- Workforce development and STEM training
- Industry partnerships and technology transition
The momentum coming out of the workshop is exciting! With strong state support, leading academic expertise, and active engagement from U.S. manufacturing leaders, the NextFlex Alabama Node is positioned to become a national hub for hybrid electronics innovation. By connecting regional capabilities with NextFlex’s national network, the Alabama Node will help deliver manufacturing readiness and high-quality workforce training—while supporting the growth of strategic U.S. technology sectors for both commercial and defense needs.
For more information about NextFlex and the Alabama Node, visit www.nextflex.us. For NextFlex members, all presentations will be posted to the Member Portal this week.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dan Gamota
NextFlex Executive Director