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The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC), established with $57.5 million in commonwealth funding, has approved its first five industry-led research projects, unlocking more than $11 million in combined investment across aerospace, defence, medtech, mining and advanced manufacturing.
The core research projects are backed by $1.95 million in commonwealth funding through the AMCRC, matched dollar-for-dollar by industry partners, with more than $7 million in additional in-kind contributions from participating organisations.
Among the first projects to be announced is a $1.8 million collaboration between Adelaide-based nuclear engineering company entX and Adelaide University to transition entX's GenX Betavoltaic Power Generator from prototype to pre-commercial manufacture over 14 months.
The device is a next-generation nuclear battery that combines additive manufacturing with nanoscale thin-film deposition to produce long-duration power sources for space and defence applications.
The GenX prototype was developed by a team led by Professor Drew Evans at Adelaide University, who describes the technology as "a genuine step-change" in power generation for remote and extreme environments.
The betavoltaic generator is designed to deliver reliable power over extended periods without the need for recharging or refuelling, making it suited to deep-space missions, remote defence installations and other applications where conventional battery technology falls short.
AMCRC managing director Simon Marriott says the projects currently being funded demonstrate growing industry confidence in additive manufacturing as a strategic capability for Australian industry.
“This is a significant milestone for Australia’s manufacturing sector,” he says.
“These projects show industry is investing in additive manufacturing not just as an emerging technology, but as a critical pathway to stronger manufacturing capability, more resilient supply chains and globally competitive production.
“The level of collaboration and co-investment we’ve seen in this first funding round highlights the appetite to accelerate commercial outcomes and bring advanced manufacturing innovations to market faster.”
The AMCRC is an industry-led, collaborative research centre established to help Australian industry unlock the transformative potential of additive manufacturing by connecting business, research and education in a collaborative ecosystem.
The centre brings together 12 Australian universities, CSIRO and more than 60 industry and member organisations, focusing on accelerating the adoption of additive manufacturing - commonly known as 3D printing - across Australian industry, with applications spanning metals, polymers, ceramics and composite materials.
AMCRC chair Susan Jeanes says the first five projects being funded reinforce the importance of collaboration in building Australia’s advanced manufacturing future.
“These partnerships are creating the knowhow, infrastructure and industry connections needed to strengthen Australia’s additive manufacturing ecosystem,” she says.
“Importantly, they are helping translate world-class Australian research into real industrial capability and economic opportunity.”
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