The University of Cyprus has announced a collaboration with the Spanish Institute IMDEA Materials in the field of 3D metal printing and materials development for aerospace applications.

According to a statement from the University of Cyprus (UCY), a team from the university recently visited the IMDEA Materials Research Institute in Madrid, Spain, for the first training meeting as part of the AM2C3 Twinning project.

The program focused on the transfer of expertise in operating a state-of-the-art Additive Manufacturing (AM) laboratory, marking a significant step forward for the project.

"The AM2C3 project aims to establish UCY as a regional hub in the field of additive manufacturing through knowledge transfer and international collaboration. Leveraging IMDEA's expertise, the project seeks to address key challenges in developing materials for aerospace applications, emphasizing sustainability and long-term progress while building a robust global research network," the statement noted.

Dr. Kyrachi, scientific leader of the AM2C3 project at UCY, thanked the IMDEA team for their guidance, stating that the expertise and knowledge shared by IMDEA's staff were invaluable. UCY is committed to building on this foundation to establish itself as a cutting-edge hub for additive manufacturing in the region.

According to the announcement, the collaboration with IMDEA is a key component of the AM2C3 project’s strategy to enhance UCY's research capabilities. As the university progresses with establishing its AM lab in the new buildings of the School of Engineering, the training provided by IMDEA contributes to excellence and high safety standards.

The AM2C3 project is funded by the European Union and reflects the importance of international collaborations in advancing research and fostering innovation. Future training sessions with European partners SINTEF (Norway) and EMPA (Switzerland) will further expand UCY's expertise in additive manufacturing and its applications in high-value sectors, such as aerospace.

Dr. Pérez-Prado, head of the Sustainable Metallurgy Group at IMDEA, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, stating, “This initiative not only strengthens IMDEA Materials’ network in advanced manufacturing technologies but also aligns with efforts to decentralize production in the aerospace sector and explore new material designs. Additive manufacturing has the potential to be a transformative force in the aerospace industry.”

Similarly, Dr. Evangelou, research manager of the project, emphasized that the collaboration with IMDEA aligns perfectly with recent efforts by the Cypriot research community to develop the space sector. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) enables the development of specialized, high-value components without the need for extensive production lines, opening new horizons for a sustainable manufacturing industry.