Research & Academic Insights
- NIST awards over $1.8 million in SBIR funding for AM innovations
On August 18, 2025, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) granted Phase I SBIR awards, totaling over $1.8 million, to 18 small businesses—five of which focus on additive manufacturing. Funded projects include 3D-printed porous heat-transfer structures for spacecraft, real-time in-situ strain imaging during the build process, and machine-learning-enhanced quality monitoring, all aimed at improving reliability and performance in AM systems. Phase I runs from August 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026, with eligibility for up to $400,000 in Phase II funding. - Caltech advances hydrogel-infusion metallurgy in AM
On August 13, 2025, researchers at Caltech unveiled an extension of their hydrogel-infusion additive manufacturing (HIAM) technique—now enabling simultaneous infusion of multiple metals within a printed hydrogel scaffold. After calcination, this process yields finely detailed metal structures with enhanced control over composition and microstructure, significantly improving mechanical properties such as resilience.
New Products & Technologies
- Fabric8Labs demos ECAM 3D-printed copper coolers on processors
At the Hot Chips conference in late August, Fabric8Labs showcased Electromechanical Additive Manufacturing (ECAM)—a microscale process using OLED-like precision to deposit copper cooling architectures with “pixel-perfect accuracy” directly onto processors. The custom designs—either manually crafted or AI-optimized—enhance thermal management and resist clogging via offset channel geometries. - Bambu Lab H2S officially launches
Bambu Lab unveiled the H2S, their largest desktop 3D printer to date. Available in three versions—starting at $1,249 USD for the base model, $1,499 for AMS (auto-material swapping), and $2,099 for Laser Full Combo with engraving/laser cutting options—shipping is scheduled for October 2025. - Project STRATA receives £14.1M for AI-powered aerospace AM
The UK’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) awarded Project STRATA, led by Honeywell, £14.1 million in mid-August to develop AI-integrated additive manufacturing approaches for aerospace component design, optimization, and production workflows. - ADDIREEN 400G: High-throughput copper LPBF system unveiled
Chinese firm Addireen launched the ADDIREEN 400G, a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) system featuring four synchronized green lasers and a 400×400 mm build volume, significantly enhancing throughput and precision for copper metal printing.
Sector Applications
Medical/Dental & Humanitarian
- MedCAD initiated donations of custom 3D-printed facial implants for injured Ukrainians, offering personalized reconstructive solutions for trauma-related injuries. (threedmedprint.biomedcentral.com)
- BellaSeno established a clinical advisory board to support clinical expansion of its resorbable, 3D-printed scaffolds in regenerative medicine. (aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com)
Consumer/Construction
- 3D-printed Farolito lamp reimagines paper lanterns Designer Wooj created the Farolito Light—an 8.75-inch-tall lamp mimicking traditional paper lanterns, 3D-printed from recycled PLA bioplastic on a Bambu Lab printer. It balances a delicate, paper-like appearance with sturdy construction and warm LED illumination, showing how AM is entering lifestyle and home décor markets.
Social Chatter & Buzz
- Fabric8Labs’ ECAM method caused waves in electronics and maker communities, with speculation on future chip-level integration of 3D-printed cooling enhancements. (tomshardware.com)
- Project STRATA, Addireen’s copper LPBF news, and Bambu Lab’s H2S launch are trending across maker forums, emphasizing AI-led aerospace manufacturing, scalable metal AM, and multi-function home 3D printers. (voxelmatters.com)
- The Supernova Viscogel material line, U.S. Air Force’s $7.65M award to 3D Systems, and registration openings for AMUG 2026 are also widely discussed among professionals tracking trends in materials, defense adoption, and industry gatherings. (tctmagazine.com)