Rapidly Deployable and Robust Additive Manufacturing Techniques for Structural Materials

Additive manufacturing of metals through DIW offers several advantages over traditional powder-bed metal 3D printing techniques: there is no need for high powered, easily damaged lasers and optics systems nor is there a need, in many cases, for high quality metal powders since metals like iron and nickel can be easily reduced from their oxide components, internal channels may be printed into parts since there is no need for a powder removal, and processing is suspected to be less dependent on a gravity environment. DIW techniques developed during this period of research will be designed for deployment on other planets for both in-situ resource utilization and repairs. A technique for flexible and robust on orbit metals manufacturing will no doubt be critical to successful human exploration of planets and alloyed metals in particular will be critical to the structures being deployed for space exploration and long-term human habitation of other worlds.

A technique for flexible and robust on orbit metals manufacturing will no doubt be critical to successful human exploration of planets and alloyed metals in particular will be critical to the structures being deployed for space exploration and long-term human habitation of other worlds.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.