STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – X-Hab 3D, Inc., is the recipient of a $1.5 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 contract from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA).
Awarded in August, the contract is part of DARPA’s Reefense Program, which is dedicated to the development of novel, carbon-neutral, environmentally friendly alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), specifically for 3D-printing artificial reefs. OPC production is responsible for approximately 9% of human-made carbon emissions.
Artificial reefs, a potential solution for mitigating wave energy and countering erosion, stand out as a promising avenue for exploration. Given the escalating threats faced by coastal areas, this initiative assumes paramount importance in fortifying both military and civilian infrastructure.
“We couldn’t be more excited for this contract and to put our technology to work in using artificial reefs to address very real issues facing coastal communities,” Bruce Kraselsky, X-Hab 3D’s CEO, said. “Meeting DARPA’s expectations on any kind of project requires going beyond convention and finding new and innovative solutions. That’s where X-Hab’s team – and technology thrive.”
In collaboration with Pennsylvania State University, X-Hab 3D aims to engineer specialized 3D-printable materials tailored for marine exposure. Leveraging Penn State's expertise in materials science, the partnership ensures a comprehensive approach to material development within the project.
In addition to being a carbon-neutral alternative, the concrete X-Hab 3D is developing for this contract is envisioned not merely as a construction material but also a catalyst for reef growth and recovery, notes Nate Watson, the project’s Principal Investigator and founding member of X-Hab 3D.
“Reducing carbon emissions is one of the greatest challenges we face today, and it requires a broad, multi-pronged approach,” Watson said. “While helping cut the manmade carbon footprint and restore one of our most fragile ecosystems, our technology reduces one of the biggest barriers in this effort: cost. Our 3D concrete printing system coupled with specially designed printing material allows us to provide a more cost-effective solution to reef rehab that simply can’t be achieved with precast or other conventional methods.”
The strategic direction of the Reefense Program contract with DARPA aligns seamlessly with X-Hab 3D's overarching commitment to providing environmentally conscious solutions.
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About X-Hab 3D:
X-Hab 3D, Inc., specializes in the production of compact, mobile, semi-autonomous 3D concrete printing (3DCP) systems, and the formulation of advanced concrete composite materials optimized for such systems. Our 3DCP systems are engineered for expeditionary use, exhibiting high reliability even in challenging conditions globally. They offer unparalleled efficiency in construction, reducing build time, labor costs, and material waste. For further information, please visit www.xhab3d.com.