PADT, ASU Receive Grant for Advanced Research in 3D Printing

Phoenix Analysis & Design Technologies (PADT) and Arizona State University (ASU) were awarded a $127,000 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I grant from NASA. The purpose of the grant is to accelerate biomimicry research, the study of 3D printing objects that resemble strong and light structures found in nature such as honeycombs or bamboo. The research is important to major sectors in Arizona such as aerospace because it enables strong and incredibly light parts for use in the development of air and space crafts.

“We’re honored to continue advanced research on biomimicry with our good friends and partners at ASU,” says Rey Chu, principal and co-founder, PADT. “With our combined expertise in 3D printing and computer modeling, we feel that our research will provide a breakthrough in the way that we design objects for NASA, and our broad range of product manufacturing clients.”

PADT recently partnered with Lockheed Martin and Stratasys to help NASA develop more than 100 3D-printed parts for its crewed spaceflight to Mars, the Orion Mission. This grant is another example of how PADT is supporting NASA efforts to use 3D printing in spacecraft development. Specific NASA applications of the research include the design and manufacturing of high-performance materials for use in heat exchanges, lightweight structures and space debris resistant skins. If the first phase is successful, the partners will be eligible for a second, larger grant from NASA.

“New technologies in imaging and manufacturing, including 3D printing, are opening possibilities for mimicking biological structures in a way that has been unprecedented in human history,” says Dhruv Bhate, associate professor, Arizona State University. “Our ability to build resilient structures while significantly reducing the weight will benefit product designers and manufacturers who leverage the technology.”

“PADT has been an excellent partner to ASU and its students as we explore the innovative nature of 3D printing,” says Ann McKenna, school director and professor, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University. “Between the STTR grant and partnering to open our state-of-the-art Additive Manufacturing Center, we’re proud of what we have been able to accomplish in this community together.”

This grant is PADT’s 14^th STTR/SBIR award.