Argonne and University of Michigan extend work into maritime R&D with new agreement

Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Michigan have expanded their long-running collaboration with a new Memorandum of Understanding focused on maritime research and development.

Argonne National Laboratory Director Paul K. Kearns took to LinkedIn to announce that the lab has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Michigan. Argonne is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory focused on science and engineering research across energy, computing, materials, and national security.

Kearns wrote: “Last week, I had the pleasure of signing a new Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Michigan that expands our long-standing collaboration into maritime research and development.” He said the two organizations “have worked closely for years on energy storage and transportation innovation,” noting that the new agreement marks “a new chapter” in their partnership.

New focus on maritime applications

According to the post, the expanded work aims to support capabilities across the domestic shipbuilding sector. Kearns outlined that the agreement brings together Argonne’s research strengths in computing, materials science, and energy systems with Michigan’s work in robotics, AI, and naval architecture. He wrote that the combined effort is designed to create “new opportunities for innovation that advance U.S. manufacturing and national security.”

While the post did not specify early project milestones or timelines, it referenced Argonne’s ongoing collaboration with Michigan and highlighted how the new agreement shifts that work toward maritime applications. The update signals a move into a specialized research area, though details on which Argonne programs or facilities will lead the work have not yet been disclosed.

Partnership development continues

Kearns noted that the University of Michigan team visited Argonne and toured its facilities as part of the agreement process. Although the post focused on the strategic intent of the MOU rather than operational plans, the announcement aligns with Argonne’s broader pattern of forming research partnerships across sectors tied to national priorities.

Kearns closed the update by saying: “Thank you to the U-M team for visiting Argonne and touring our facilities. I look forward to what we’ll accomplish together.”

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