The world of additive manufacturing is constantly evolving, and recent developments highlight the crucial role universities play in driving innovation. One such example is Atomik AM, a spin-out from the University of Liverpool's School of Engineering. They've just secured a significant £125,000 investment from LYVA Labs, a move that promises to accelerate their binder jetting technology and propel it from research to real-world applications.
Launched in 2023, Atomik AM is dedicated to refining binder jet 3D printing. Their work focuses on developing new binder formulations and processing techniques, ultimately aiming to boost the efficiency and material compatibility of this promising technology. Binder jetting, for those unfamiliar, uses a liquid binding agent to selectively join powder particles, layer by layer, to create a three-dimensional object. It offers advantages in terms of speed and scalability, making it attractive for various industries.
This substantial investment will be instrumental in several key areas for Atomik AM. Firstly, it will support their efforts to translate existing opportunities into tangible commercial contracts, strengthening their market presence. Secondly, it will fuel the expansion of their intellectual property portfolio, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation in this space. The funding will also enable the company to file a new patent, a crucial step in protecting their technological advancements. Furthermore, the investment is set to create eight new jobs and establish the important role of chief operating officer, bolstering their team's expertise and capacity. Atomik AM has already demonstrated its potential, securing collaborations with major manufacturing firms and filing several patents. They are diligently building a portfolio of proprietary technology designed to optimize industrial 3D printing processes.
Professor Kate Black, Founder and CEO of Atomik AM, expressed her enthusiasm about the investment, stating, “This investment is a testament to the groundbreaking work our team is doing to advance additive manufacturing processes. It allows us to expand our capabilities, accelerate innovation, and bring sustainable, cutting-edge solutions to the industry.” Her words underscore the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of 3D printing technology.
Akshay Bhatnagar, Head of Investments at LYVA Labs, emphasized Atomik AM’s importance within the regional manufacturing landscape. “We hope this will be the first of many investments alongside the University of Liverpool. Atomik AM exemplifies the excellence found in advanced manufacturing R&D across Liverpool City Region, and we are pleased to be part of this business’ exciting innovation journey.”
Emma Nolan, Head of the University of Liverpool’s Enterprise Team, highlighted Atomik AM as a prime example of successful university-driven enterprise. “Atomik AM is a prime example of how university research excellence can be translated into commercial applications with economic impact. We are proud to have supported this University spin-out as one of its first investors, early in its journey. This is an example of our commitment to help create a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and a cluster of high-growth companies across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.”
Looking ahead, Atomik AM's focus is on scaling up its binder jet 3D printing process and aligning its research breakthroughs with the specific needs of industry. The combination of technical improvements and new patent filings is expected to solidify the company's position as a full-scale production partner across a range of sectors. The investment will allow them to broaden their team's expertise, accelerate commercialization efforts, and pursue further collaborative ventures.
Universities at the Forefront of 3D Printing Innovation
Atomik AM's success story is a powerful illustration of the broader trend of universities playing a pivotal role in advancing additive manufacturing. Across the globe, academic institutions are pushing the boundaries of what's possible with 3D printing.
For instance, at the University of Melbourne, the Collins BioMicrosystems Laboratory has pioneered a revolutionary bioprinting technique called Dynamic Interface Printing (DIP). DIP utilizes acoustic waves to manipulate microscopic bubbles, precisely guiding cells into position. This method is approximately 350 times faster than traditional layer-by-layer bioprinting, significantly accelerating the fabrication of complex tissue structures. Furthermore, DIP reduces mechanical stress on cells, improves structural accuracy, and allows for direct printing onto lab plates, eliminating the need for complex post-processing. This breakthrough holds immense promise for regenerative medicine, including the rapid creation of patient-specific tissue models.
In another example of cutting-edge research, the University of Cyprus is leading a European Union-funded initiative focused on developing aluminum metal matrix composites (Al-MMCs) for aerospace applications. The Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Competence Centre (AM2C3) project brings together institutions from Norway, Switzerland, and Spain to refine the processing and characterization of these high-strength, lightweight materials. The research team is working to optimize Al-MMC properties for the demanding conditions encountered in aerospace, with efforts including staff exchanges and shared access to advanced R&D equipment. The project also aims to establish a long-term intellectual property framework to ensure the continued development and adoption of advanced additive manufacturing materials within the aerospace sector.
These examples, along with Atomik AM's achievements, underscore the vital role universities play in driving innovation in additive manufacturing. By fostering research, developing talent, and facilitating collaboration between academia and industry, universities are shaping the future of this transformative technology.
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