Effects of Additive Loading on Electromagnetic Properties in 3D Printing
SBIR Opportunity Analysis
The Navy, through the DoD SBIR program, is seeking research on how additives change the electromagnetic properties of 3D-printed materials for use in weapon system components. The work focuses on creating additive-incorporated substrates, measuring EM attenuation and related material behavior, and evaluating how additive type and concentration affect printability, thermal performance, and mechanical performance. An initial application is an antenna radome for a weapon system navigation receiver, with later phases calling for representative radome samples and then full-scale prototype printing to validate EM, structural, and thermal performance and any needed printer process changes. The topic is open with proposals due June 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC through the DoD SBIR/STTR topics site.