Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Department of Energy's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Maine’s (UMaine) Advanced Structures and Composites Center are partnering to advance large-format additive manufacturing for housing, energy, and infrastructure applications.
Through the SM2ART partnership, ORNL and UMaine combine national laboratory scale, advanced manufacturing systems, and regional expertise to develop and demonstrate new approaches to large-scale 3D printing. Their work shows how additive manufacturing can accelerate construction timelines, enable complex geometries, and support cost-effective deployment across sectors.
This collaboration has led to real-world demonstrations, including BioHome3D, the nation’s first fully 3D-printed house, and ongoing work with Kairos Power to develop printed forms and precast approaches that can streamline nuclear construction and reduce project schedules.
In this video, learn more about:
· How large-format additive manufacturing enables faster, more flexible construction
· How printed forms and precast components support complex energy and infrastructure projects
· How ORNL and UMaine work with industry to scale additive manufacturing technologies
· How national laboratories help move advanced manufacturing from concept to deployment
About the collaboration
Established in 2016, SM2ART integrates MDF with UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center and has supported more than 50 industry partnerships nationwide. MDF is supported by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office.
The C4 Partnering Model
This work is part of DOE’s C4 Partnering Model, led by Sandia National Laboratories, which accelerates cross-sector collaboration and technology deployment. Learn more: sandia.gov/c4
ORNL is using #BigScience to make a big impact. Learn more: ornl.gov/bigscience
The Department of Energy's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Maine’s (UMaine) Advanced Structures and Composites Center are partnering to advance large-format additive manufacturing for housing, energy, and infrastructure applications.
Through the SM2ART partnership, ORNL and UMaine combine national laboratory scale, advanced manufacturing systems, and regional expertise to develop and demonstrate new approaches to large-scale 3D printing. Their work shows how additive manufacturing can accelerate construction timelines, enable complex geometries, and support cost-effective deployment across sectors.
This collaboration has led to real-world demonstrations, including BioHome3D, the nation’s first fully 3D-printed house, and ongoing work with Kairos Power to develop printed forms and precast approaches that can streamline nuclear construction and reduce project schedules.
In this video, learn more about:
· How large-format additive manufacturing enables faster, more flexible construction
· How printed forms and precast components support complex energy and infrastructure projects
· How ORNL and UMaine work with industry to scale additive manufacturing technologies
· How national laboratories help move advanced manufacturing from concept to deployment
About the collaboration
Established in 2016, SM2ART integrates MDF with UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center and has supported more than 50 industry partnerships nationwide. MDF is supported by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office.
The C4 Partnering Model
This work is part of DOE’s C4 Partnering Model, led by Sandia National Laboratories, which accelerates cross-sector collaboration and technology deployment. Learn more: sandia.gov/c4
ORNL is using #BigScience to make a big impact. Learn more: ornl.gov/bigscience
