Novineer,
a business developing innovative engineering solutions that was founded at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, promises quicker,
more environmentally friendly production of high-quality,
lightweight parts for aircraft and rockets, biomedical implants,
and a variety of other consumer goods.
The company’s big idea, developed by Dr Ali Tamijani, an Embry-Riddle faculty member, could hasten the use of 3D printing in a variety of end-use parts and products.
According to Tamijani, Novineer’s design and simulation software can streamline and hasten the process of creating high-performance 3D printed parts.
For instance, a design that might take four days to complete using current techniques could be finished using Novineer’s software in no more than four hours.
Three research projects gave rise to the business: latticework for the National Science Foundation, composite 3D printing technology for the US Navy,
and multi-metal 3D printing for NASA.
Wide range use-case for 3D printing
The variety of projects reflects the range of applications for 3D printing,
each of which necessitates an application-specific design,
which is where Novineer comes in, according to Tamijani.
To “unlock and ‘unlimit’ innovation by product engineers,”
Tamijani and his team focus on including manufacturing constraints,
material properties, and system requirements in the design process. “Our vision is to become the design hub for 3D printing,” Tamijani stated.
They shouldn’t be constrained by all the restrictions that the current software imposes. Our goal is to make the design and simulation process for 3D printing more efficient.]Novineers acclaim
So far, Novineer has won the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigators Research Program Award in 2017,
and the National Science Foundation Early Career Award in 2019.
Tamijani has also received awards for Outstanding Researcher of the Year from the University (2020) and College of Engineering (2019). The achievements of our research team are recognized by these awards, according to Tamijani.
Dr Zhichao Wang, a former PhD student of Tamijani’s who is currently a postdoctoral fellow and the company’s chief technical officer, founded the business.
Three PhD students,
one master’s student, and an undergraduate in Tamijani’s research group are focusing on related 3D printing design technologies.
The company’s transformation from an academic project to a successful business, according to Wang, was aided by participation in the NSF program i-CORPS. He claimed that the program, which arranges meetings between engineers, business analysts, and potential clients in various industries, was extremely beneficial because it allowed him to understand what clients needed.
Previously, we were preoccupied with our inventions and technology and were thinking like engineers and scientists, according to Wang. But executives are saying, ‘I have a problem. It doesn’t matter what approach you take.
We developed relationships and discovered how to concentrate on the demands of the clients and the values we provide for them.
Tamijani ascribes the success of Novineer to the Embry-Riddle Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The business took part in the startup accelerator program run by the centre in collaboration with Embry-Riddle Research Park.
Novineer had successfully developed and transformed technology from an invention to innovation before our work with Dr Tamijani, according to Ramy Rahimi,
acting director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and assistant professor in the David B. O’Maley College of Business. The logical next steps were to create a business model, a marketing plan, and a fundraising strategy. Dr Tamijani and Novineer got access to resources, advice, and mentorship for their businesses by enrolling in the Build Stage Accelerator Program,
run in collaboration with MicaPlex.
Researchers at Embry-Riddle benefit greatly from the centre and MicaPlex Incubator because they can hasten the progression of startups like Novineer,
according to Tamijani.
Increasing job opportunities
The university works to support commercialization pathways,
and Dr Stephanie Miller,
executive director of technology transfer and research park initiatives at Embry-Riddle,
called Novineer “a great example of one.”
Innovative laboratory research there developed into a startup that quickly attracted investors and gained traction in its target market.
As a result of entrepreneurship and innovation at Embry-Research Riddle’s Park,
163 jobs with an average annual salary of $75,000 have been created since 2017. 25 related businesses have received grants and investments totalling $101 million.
