A new EU-funded research initiative, named ORGANIC, is set to revolutionize additive manufacturing (AM) by integrating biology, engineering, and information technology into a self-learning, bio-intelligent production system. Launched on June 1, 2025, the four-year project is led by the Aimen Technology Centre (O Porri o, Spain) and includes 13 partners across eight European countries.

The ORGANIC project will focus initially on enhancing wind turbine blade design by 3D printing bio-inspired structures using bio-based materials. The core goal is to create an adaptive manufacturing system featuring AI-driven cognitive and evolutionary controls, capable of self-correction and first-time-right fabrication using real-time data comparisons.

Additive manufacturing is promising, but it faces reliability issues, said Andrea Fern ndez Mart nez, project coordinator and AI researcher at Aimen. With a bio-intelligent approach, we aim to enable systems that learn and evolve, bridging the gap between concept and production.

The wind turbine blades will serve as a proof-of-concept, replacing conventional core materials like PET and balsa wood with customized, recyclable cores produced from bio-based materials. This not only supports sustainability but also offers potential cost savings and structural performance improvements.

The project s hardware will include sensor-integrated 3D printing heads and self-X control systems, with the initial testing conducted at Aimen s Laser Applications Centre. On the software side, ORGANIC will develop AI-powered cognitive and evolutionary control systems using digital twins, reinforcement learning, and ontology-based knowledge systems to ensure standardization and adaptability across multiple industries.

Iconiq Innovation (UK) is leading the work package on accelerating bio-intelligence adoption in additive manufacturing.

Backed by the European Union under HORIZON-CL4-2024-TWIN-TRANSITION-01, the project aligns with broader efforts to embed intelligence into sustainable manufacturing and is one of five flagship initiatives under the EU s bio-intelligent manufacturing strategy.

Source: www.iconiqinnovation.com