FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The collaboration strengthens AMP's ability to support industry-driven research, troubleshooting, and development through the addition of analytical capabilities in Hitachi instruments supplied by HTA.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, October 20, 2026—Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc. (HTA) and the Alabama Mobility and Power (AMP) Center at The University of Alabama announced the official Grand Opening of the AMP Battery Research Lab and Hitachi Advanced Characterization Lab located within AMP in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Grand Opening celebration takes place on October 20, 2026.

AMP is an industry-driven research and economic development initiative focused on mobility, battery manufacturing, and power systems. AMP was established through a partnership between The University of Alabama and local industry-leading companies, and has grown into a consortium of more than 50 organizations spanning industry, academia, government, and workforce development.

AMP connects industry needs with The University of Alabama’s research capabilities, workforce development, and real-world testing. Key assets include the Battery Research Lab, the Power Research Lab, and a broad consortium that helps inform research priorities and collaborative projects. Among them, the Battery Research Lab provides pilot-scale battery manufacturing, testing, and validation capabilities.

The Hitachi Advanced Characterization Lab, which functions within the broader Battery Research Lab, adds complementary analytical capabilities, giving researchers and industry partners another way to understand how battery materials and components behave. The new lab is equipped with the latest Hitachi supplied by HTA— the EA8000 XRF Analyzer, the ArBlade 5000 Ion Milling System, and a Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope —with a possibility of future expansion. Hitachi imaging and analysis technologies delivered by these instruments can help researchers look more closely at battery components, identify potential defects or changes, and better understand factors that may influence quality and performance.

Located alongside AMP's pilot-scale manufacturing and cell-testing capabilities, the Hitachi Advanced Characterization Lab helps create a more connected research environment—where batteries can be manufactured, tested, and analyzed within one facility. This strengthens AMP's ability to support industry-driven research, troubleshooting and development while providing students and researchers exposure to advanced tools used across the battery industry.

The Grand Opening event on October 20th marks the formal opening of the Battery Research Lab and highlights the Hitachi Advanced Characterization Lab as part of the facility’s broader research capabilities. The event is an opportunity to recognize the organizations and partners helping build Alabama’s battery research, innovation, and workforce ecosystem.

About the Alabama Mobility and Power (AMP) Center of The University of Alabama

The Alabama Mobility and Power (AMP) Center is a public-private partnership advancing the technologies, infrastructure, and workforce needed to support the electrification of transportation and the modernization of energy systems. By bringing together industry, academia, and government partners, AMP accelerates innovation in battery manufacturing, power delivery, and workforce development to support real-world deployment and economic growth. For more information, please visit https://amp.ua.edu/.

About Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc.

Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc. (HTA) is a privately-owned global affiliate company that operates within the Hitachi Group companies. HTA sells and services semiconductor manufacturing equipment, analytical instrumentation, scientific instruments, and bio-related products as well as industrial equipment and electronic and industrial materials. HTA is dedicated to successful and profitable collaboration with leading companies worldwide with a direction towards providing customers with superior quality products and services at fair and competitive prices. For more information, please visit https://www.hitachi-hightech.com/us/en/.

Media Contact

Kyoko Ramirez
Brand & Marketing
Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc.