3D Systems Partners with Savannah River Lab to Boost Nuclear and Energy 3D Printing
Event summary
- 3D Systems entered a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Savannah River National Laboratory on August 27, 2026.
- The partnership focuses on advancing additive manufacturing for nuclear energy and national security applications.
- Key areas include materials development, AI/ML process optimization, and workforce training.
- The collaboration aims to support the growth of small modular reactors (SMRs), with projected capacity reaching 40-120 gigawatts by 2050.
The big picture
This partnership aligns with the renewed investment in U.S. nuclear and energy sectors, particularly small modular reactors. The collaboration leverages 3D Systems' commercial AM platforms and SRNL's expertise in nuclear materials to bridge laboratory innovation with industrial readiness. The projected expansion of advanced nuclear capacity worldwide underscores the strategic importance of this collaboration.
What we're watching
- Technology Scalability
- How quickly 3D Systems and SRNL can transition from research to commercial-scale industrial applications.
- Market Demand
- Whether the projected growth in SMR capacity will translate into sustained demand for advanced manufacturing solutions.
- Workforce Development
- The pace at which the partnership can train the next generation of AM scientists and engineers.
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