What Happened
The U.S. Department of War recently highlighted groundbreaking advancements at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Keyport, where additive manufacturing (AM) is being leveraged to introduce cost-saving innovations (source). While the article focuses broadly on additive manufacturing’s cost efficiencies, emerging trends suggest integration with smart and bio-embedded materials—specifically living materials—is an under-covered frontier that could redefine defense manufacturing.
Why It Matters
The incorporation of living materials into additive manufacturing processes represents a paradigm shift, especially for defense applications. These materials, which can self-heal, adapt, or respond dynamically to environmental stimuli, offer unparalleled advantages in durability, functionality, and sustainability. For NUWC Keyport, this could mean producing components that not only save money upfront but also reduce lifecycle costs through extended service life and reduced maintenance.
Moreover, living materials can enable the creation of adaptive systems that respond in real-time to operational conditions, enhancing mission effectiveness. This aligns with broader military goals of resilience and technological superiority, making the exploration of living materials in additive manufacturing a critical area for investment and research.
Technical Context
Living materials are bio-hybrid constructs that integrate living cells or biological systems with synthetic matrices, enabling functionalities such as self-repair, environmental sensing, and biochemical production. In additive manufacturing, these materials require specialized techniques such as bioprinting or hybrid printing systems that can handle delicate biological components alongside traditional materials.
NUWC Keyport’s adoption of additive manufacturing positions it well to explore these materials, as AM’s layer-by-layer approach allows precise placement of living cells within structural matrices. However, challenges remain, including maintaining cell viability during printing, ensuring mechanical integrity, and integrating living materials with conventional defense-grade materials.
Near-Term Prediction Model
While the referenced article does not explicitly confirm living materials usage at NUWC Keyport, the trajectory of additive manufacturing innovations in defense strongly suggests pilot projects and R&D efforts are underway or imminent.