Publications

Aug, 2026

Conference Paper

Enhancing Operational Performance and Productivity Benefits by Implementing Smart Manufacturing Technologies in Breweries

This paper uses case studies to demonstrate the potential of smart manufacturing (SM) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to enhance operational performance and productivity in the industry. The analysis highlights benefits like cost reduction, production flexibility, shorter product times-to-market, energy/water efficiency and environmental impact reduction, and inc…

Mar, 2026

ORNL Report

Bridging Practice and Andragogy: Evidence-Based Approaches for Manufacturing Workforce Trainers

Jan, 2026

ORNL Report

Findings from the Energy Assessments for NSK Liberty and Franklin Facilities

Dec, 2025

Journal

Key Insights from US Department of Energy Better Plants Workforce Development Bootcamps (2022–2025)

This study examines the effectiveness of the US Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program Bootcamps, which are designed to enhance participants’ technical skills in improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in manufacturing facilities. Through the analysis of survey data collected from 529 participants across 9 bootcamps, the research investigates the motivatio…

Oct, 2025

Journal

Exploring the Potential of Rainwater Harvesting for Cooling Towers: A Systematic Review and Regional Feasibility Assessment

Water scarcity has driven interest in rainwater harvesting, especially for U.S. industries like power and manufacturing, which dedicate a large percentage of their water needs to cooling towers. This paper provides a comprehensive systematic review of studies on the use of rainwater in cooling tower applications, along with an assessment of the regional feasibility of inte…

Aug, 2025

Journal

Simple Wins: Driving Effective Implementation of Energy Efficiency Projects

Small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in the United States, making up over 98% of manufacturing firms, account for 48.3% of the sector’s energy consumption. Despite access to energy assessments and technical resources, such as those from the US Department of Energy’s Better Plants program and Industrial Training and Assessment Centers, implementation rates for ident…

Mar, 2025

Journal

Workforce Development Opportunities Through the US Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program 2025

The increasing global demand for energy underscores the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability. To address these challenges in the US manufacturing sector, the US Department of Energy has implemented the Better Plants and Better Climate Challenge programs. These initiatives aim to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage in industria…

Sep, 2024

Journal

Unlocking Energy Efficiency: Debunking Myths on the Road to Decarbonization

Energy efficiency is widely recognized as the foundational and most critical strategy for decarbonizing the manufacturing sector. Misconceptions surrounding energy efficiency measures often hinder their widespread adoption. This article aims to debunk five common myths and provides data and resources to help implement efficiency projects faster and more effectively to achi…

Dec, 2023

Journal

Transformation Strategy for Highly Crystalline Covalent Triazine Frameworks: From Staggered AB to Eclipsed AA Stacking

Fabrication of crystalline covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) under mild conditions without introduction of carbonization is a long-term challenging subject. Herein, a tandem transformation strategy was demonstrated for the preparation of highly crystalline CTFs with high surface areas under mild and metal- and solvent-free conditions. CTF-1 with a staggered AB stacking o…

Nov, 2023

ORNL Report

Practices Implemented by DOE Better Plants Program Partners to Mitigate COVID-19

Screening for symptoms, maintaining physical distance, sanitizing surfaces, wearing appropriate face masks, maintaining good personal hygiene, and reconfiguring HVAC air management are the major activities that the DOE BP partners have implemented to mitigate COVID-19. This article shares some specific practices that BP program partners have implemented for these activitie…

Nov, 2023

Conference Paper

US Department of Energy Better Plants Program’s Approach to Manufacturing Workforce Development

Multiple studies suggest that by 2030, millions of jobs may go unfilled because of a significant skills gap between the current manufacturing workforce and the workforce needed to support the shift toward advanced and sustainable manufacturing. According to US manufacturers, finding the right talent is more difficult now than in previous years. Developing a well-trained wo…

Nov, 2023

Journal

Initial Findings from US Department of Energy’s Better Plants Virtual in-Plant Training on 50001 Ready

Manufacturing facilities use about 35% of the domestic energy in the United States every year. Implementing an effective energy management system (EnMS) is one of the most important approaches to improve energy efficiency. However, the implementation of EnMS is low for many countries (including the US) and even for energy-intensive sectors. The reasons for the low implemen…