CapstoneEngineerMagazineFall2026 - Flipbook - Page 20
POWERING THE FUTURE
BY Emily Fischer
A
s demand grows for advanced battery
technologies, resilient power systems and
new mobility solutions, The University of
Alabama is helping shape what comes next.
The Alabama Mobility and Power Center connects
researchers and industry partners to accelerate innovation
in battery manufacturing, power systems, grid resilience,
charging infrastructure and transportation electri昀椀cation.
Founded through a partnership between The University of
Alabama, Alabama Power and Mercedes-Benz U.S.
International, more than 50 organizations representing
industry, academia and government contribute to the center’s
mission of advancing practical solutions while helping move
new technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace.
Beyond technology development, AMP studies factors
in昀氀uencing transportation electri昀椀cation. Through business
intelligence and consumer research, the center examines
consumer adoption trends, charging preferences and
infrastructure readiness to provide data-driven insights that
inform infrastructure planning, strategic investment and
policy development. The center’s work spans electrical,
mechanical, chemical and manufacturing engineering,
fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty
and students.
The AMP Power Research Lab serves as a controlled
environment for testing next-generation power systems that
20 | CAPSTONE ENGINEER | FALL 2026
support electri昀椀ed transportation and advanced energy
infrastructure before these technologies are deployed on a
large scale. Partners study grid-independent and resilient
charging strategies, energy management and charging
infrastructure for high-demand environments while evaluating
how emerging technologies interact with the electrical grid.
The lab also features a private 5G Open Radio Access Network
testbed, enabling real-time communication between connected
energy and mobility systems.
AMP’s Battery Research Lab, which opened in fall 2026,
will provide capabilities across every stage of battery
development — from materials characterization and pilotscale manufacturing to testing, workforce development and
commercialization. Its pouch cell pilot line will allow
researchers and industry partners to optimize manufacturing
processes and mitigate risks associated with scaling new
battery technologies. The advanced testing facility will also
assess battery performance, durability and safety under
real-world operating conditions.
The center aims to prepare the workforce that will power
the future of mobility and energy, allowing students access to
production-scale equipment and manufacturing processes like
those found in industry. Together, these efforts nurture an
ecosystem where industry, researchers and students can
advance new technologies across battery manufacturing,
energy storage, power systems and mobility.
