FAMU’s mind-blowing 3D printing research sends shockwaves through NASA , could revolutionize space exploration

Left to Right: FAMU Assistant Professor Jamel Ali and Professor Subramanian Ramakrishnan

FAMU is breaking new ground in the field of space exploration with its cutting-edge 3D printing technology, enabling astronauts to manufacture critical components during space missions. This revolutionary research, spearheaded by the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and backed by a $5 million NASA grant promises to reduce reliance on Earth-supplied materials and enhance the sustainability of long-term missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Advanced materials for the final frontier
At the core of FAMU’s breakthrough are next-generation materials engineered for space environments. Led by Professor Subramanian Ramakrishnan at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, researchers are developing specialized inks using MXenes—ultra-thin 2D materials—and metallic nanoparticles. These inks can 3D print sensors, antennas, and radiation shielding, crucial for missions where resupply is impractical. “This technology allows astronauts to adapt on the fly, producing tools and parts as needed,” Ramakrishnan explained.

Harvesting extraterrestrial resources
The team is also pioneering methods to convert lunar and Martian soil (regolith) into construction materials. By leveraging local resources, FAMU aims to slash mission costs and lay the groundwork for sustainable habitats. “Using regolith could enable permanent outposts on other worlds,” said Satyanarayan Dev, a FAMU biological systems engineer collaborating on the project.

Precision in zero gravity
FAMU’s innovations extend to precision printing techniques like Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) technology, which uses electric fields to deposit nanoparticles with microscopic accuracy. Coupled with a state-of-the-art nScrypt 6-axis 3D printer—funded by a $700,000 NSF grant—the team can fabricate complex components on curved surfaces, vital for spacecraft and medical devices.

Biomedical breakthroughs in space
Beyond hardware, FAMU is exploring 3D-printed biological materials in microgravity. Assistant Professor Jamel Ali leads studies on how human cells self-assemble in space, advancing regenerative medicine. Collaborating with the Mayo Clinic and FSU Medical School, his work could yield therapies for astronauts and Earth-based patients alike. “Understanding cell behavior in space opens doors to unprecedented medical innovations,” Ali noted.

Collaborative vision for the future
The interdisciplinary effort includes NASA’s Margaret Samuels and underscores FAMU’s rising role in space science. As the university bridges engineering, biomedicine, and planetary resource utilization, its advancements may soon redefine how humanity explores the cosmos.

“FAMU is not just preparing for the next mission—we’re reimagining the future of space habitation and interplanetary travel,” said Ramakrishnan. With trials on upcoming lunar missions slated for 2026, the world watches as these innovations edge closer to liftoff.