Embry-Riddle Installs First Lithoz CeraFab Multi 3D Printer in the U.S. to Advance Lunar Exploration and Aerospace Research!

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has become the first institution in the United States to install the Lithoz CeraFab Multi 2M30. This groundbreaking multi-material ceramic 3D printer is set to revolutionize aerospace and lunar exploration research. Located at the university’s Daytona Beach Campus, the high-performance additive manufacturing system allows researchers to combine ceramics with other ceramics or metals, enabling complex, high-precision components crucial for space exploration and energy applications.

The CeraFab Multi 2M30 represents a significant advancement in multi-material 3D printing, offering the ability to produce intricate ceramic structures with unmatched precision. This technology is expected to drive multiple research initiatives at Embry-Riddle, including:
✔ Wear-resistant coatings for lunar exploration systems, enhancing the durability of components exposed to extreme environments.
✔ Functional sensors designed for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), enabling astronauts to efficiently use local lunar materials.
✔ Complex aerospace applications, where ceramics and metals can be combined to create high-performance, lightweight, and heat-resistant components.

Dr. Seetha Raghavan, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle, highlighted the impact of this new capability:
“The Lithoz CeraFab Multi 2M30 enables our researchers to manufacture ceramics with intricate geometric features across scales with remarkable precision. Its capability to print combinations of ceramics tailored for specific needs is pivotal in accelerating material design.”

One of the most exciting applications of the CeraFab Multi 2M30 at Embry-Riddle has been its role in NASA’s Human Lander Challenge, where students and faculty collaborated on innovative dust mitigation technologies for lunar landers. The C.R.A.T.E.R. team successfully developed bio-inspired ceramic patterns modeled after hydrophobic surfaces like the lotus leaf, reducing dust adhesion on lunar surfaces. This cutting-edge approach demonstrates how advanced ceramic 3D printing can solve real-world challenges in space exploration.

The installation of the first CeraFab Multi 3D printer in the U.S. marks a significant leap forward in ceramic additive manufacturing. By allowing multi-material combinations at scale, this pioneering technology will not only accelerate material innovation for space missions but also drive new breakthroughs in energy systems, aerospace engineering, and beyond.

With the Lithoz CeraFab Multi 2M30, Embry-Riddle is at the forefront of next-generation manufacturing, bringing us closer to groundbreaking advancements in space exploration and high-performance engineering.