The Advanced Industrial Materials (AIM) Program is a part of the Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The mission of the AIM Program is to "support development and commercialization of new or improved materials to improve productivity, product quality, and energy efficiency in the major process industries." Program investigators in the DOE National Laboratories are working closely with approximately 100 companies, including 15 partners in Cooperative Research and Development Agreements. Research and development is being performed in a wide variety of materials technologies, including intermetallic and metallic alloys, ceramic composites, metal composites, and polymers.

The AIM Program supports the "Industries of the Future" effort of OIT including the major energy consuming process industries - aluminum, chemicals, forest products, glass, metalcasting refineries, and steel. Recently, the AIM Program also began working with the carbon products, forging, heat treating, and welding cross-cutting industries. Each of these industries has decided to develop a vision, road map and implementation plan, and OIT is working on ways to integrate these industries into the "Industries of the Future."

Assessments of materials needs and opportunities in the process industries are also being made to improve the relevance of materials research. The assessments are being used for program planning and setting of priorities; this is being followed by support of work to satisfy those needs. All seven industries have identified materials as important, particularly for high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance. There are many common aspects to the industry needs that can best be addressed by a true cross-cutting materials program. Industrial representatives are cordially invited to contact the program manager or attend the Annual Meeting to learn more and to provide advice on how to improve the effectiveness of the AIM Program.