INDIANA, (WOWO): Notre Dame University, Purdue University and Indiana University have been selected as research partners for two groups to help improve advanced manufacturing and help create jobs.

The institute in Chicago will concentrate on high-tech digital manufacturing and design, while the one near Detroit will specialize in light metal manufacturing. Each was awarded $70 million from the Department of Defense.

Notre Dame has been selected as a research partner in both. The digital manufacturing program will apply advanced technologies to reduce the time and cost of manufacturing. The light metal manufacturing program will seek to make materials that are lighter and more affordable and competitive.