NIST awards $1.8 million to businesses advancing manufacturing

The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded more than $1.8 million to 18 small businesses as part of its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, with several projects pushing forward the boundaries of additive manufacturing.

The Phase I SBIR awards fund six months of research (Aug. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026) to test the merit and commercial potential of new technologies, with the possibility of up to $400,000 in follow-on Phase II support. While the awards cover diverse fields—from artificial intelligence to semiconductor devices—additive manufacturing projects stand out as key investments in the future of U.S. industry.

Advancing standards and quality in 3D printing

Advanced Cooling Technologies (Pennsylvania) will receive $106,499 to conduct pre-standardization research into 3D-printed porous structures for spacecraft heat transfer systems. Establishing reliable testing and manufacturing standards is vital to accelerating the use of these components in aerospace applications.

Real-time monitoring and strain imaging

Advanced Materials Design (Michigan) has secured $100,000 to develop a real-time strain imaging tool for AM. By monitoring stresses and viscosity during printing, this technology could optimize speed, reduce defects, and open new possibilities for material development—an essential step in improving part quality and consistency.

Improving metal powder bed fusion

Intact Solutions (Wisconsin) is receiving $106,500 to create a simulation tool for multi-laser powder bed fusion, one of the most promising techniques in metal AM. The system will enable prequalification of process parameters and minimize defects, helping scale up production of large, high-performance components for aerospace, defense, and medical use.

Machine learning for quality control

X-wave Innovations (Maryland) will use its $100,000 award to integrate machine learning into in-situ monitoring for laser powder bed fusion. The project aims to enhance the reliability and performance of metal AM systems, supporting both commercial and defense applications.

Sustainable electronics through 3D printing

ChemCubed (New York) has been awarded $99,865 to develop a biodegradable, 3D printable dielectric for printed circuit boards. This innovation combines additive manufacturing flexibility with sustainability, potentially transforming electronics manufacturing.

Other awardees include projects in AI, environmental remediation, semiconductor materials, and emergency response technologies, reflecting the wide range of NIST’s research focus. Yet the concentration of AM projects underscores the critical role of additive manufacturing in building resilient supply chains and next-generation industrial capabilities.