Embry-Riddle Installs First Lithoz CeraFab Multi in the US for Advanced Lunar Exploration Systems

Lithoz has installed the first-ever CeraFab Multi 3D printer in the United States at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus. This system, which can combine ceramic with another ceramic or metal, enables the development of advanced lunar exploration systems at Embry-Riddle, among other innovative applications for aerospace and energy. 

The Lithoz CeraFab Multi 2M30 ceramic 3D printer marks a major milestone in advanced ceramic manufacturing and research capabilities, offering the ability to combine ceramics and metals in complex geometries at scale. With its installation at Embry-Riddle, this technology will drive a wide array of research initiatives, including the development of wear-resistant coatings for lunar exploration systems and functional sensors to support in-situ resource utilization.

Dr. Seetha Raghavan, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle, emphasized the transformative impact of the Lithoz machine: "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.”

The CeraFab Multi has played a crucial role in campus projects, such as aiding the C.R.A.T.E.R. team during NASA’s Human Lander Challenge. Using the Lithoz machine, the team successfully developed bio-inspired ceramic patterns to mitigate dust adhesion on lunar surfaces. These precision engineered patterns, modeled after hydrophobic surfaces like the lotus leaf, underscore the printer’s unparalleled capabilities.