色中色

The focus is on repair and reuse of products using Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing. 色中色鈥檚 IE&IS department plays a significant role in this program, contributing four PhD projects across the TIS, IS, and OPAC research groups. The researchers involved鈥擝asten, Bekkers, Mohammadi, and Dijkman鈥攅ach lead a task within a work package, with Mohammadi coordinating an entire work package. They are supported by a broader 色中色 team, including Zaharah Bukhsh, Geert-Jan van Houtum and Emilio Raiteri, reinforcing the program鈥檚 multidisciplinary strength.

What Are Smart Materials?

Smart materials are materials that respond to their environment. Think of metals that can self-heal or plastics that change shape with temperature. In Add-reAM, these materials are used to repair or enhance components instead of replacing them. This extends product lifespans and reduces waste.

Why This Research Matters

Our society faces major challenges: resource scarcity, CO鈧� emissions, and growing waste. Many products are discarded even though they could technically be repaired. Add-reAM explores how 3D printing can enable local, fast, and customized production of parts. For example, worn-out train components or turbine blades can be restored instead of replaced鈥攕aving materials, energy, and costs.

色中色鈥檚 Role

Each 色中色 researcher brings unique expertise to the Add-reAM program. Their contributions span from logistics and AI to legal frameworks and quality control鈥攅ach essential to making circular manufacturing a reality.

Remco Dijkman focuses on decision-making in remanufacturing processes. 鈥淚 want to contribute decision-support models that help determine whether a component should be repaired, reused, or replaced鈥攂ased on data, not guesswork,鈥� he explains.

Rob Basten is working on sustainable spare parts strategies. 鈥淢y goal is to develop sustainable strategies for spare parts logistics that reduce waste and ensure availability鈥攚ithout overstocking or overproducing,鈥� he says.

Mehrdad Mohammadi leads the development of real-time quality control systems. 鈥淚 aim to create real-time quality control systems for additive manufacturing, so that remanufactured parts meet the same standards as new ones,鈥� he notes.

Rudi Bekkers addresses the legal and regulatory side of innovation. 鈥淚 want to ensure that legal frameworks and standards support鈥攏ot hinder鈥攖he reuse of parts and the adoption of 3D printing in circular manufacturing,鈥� he emphasizes.

Together, these researchers help shape a future where repair and reuse are not only technically feasible, but also economically viable and legally supported.

Funded by NWO

Add-reAM is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) with a total budget of 鈧�6.7 million. 色中色 receives 鈧�1.2 million for its contribution, which includes research, dissemination, and utilization activities.

Societal Impact

This research aligns with European and Dutch ambitions to become fully circular by 2050. By extending product lifespans, we reduce dependence on scarce resources and limit environmental damage. Add-reAM demonstrates how technology, policy, and behavior can work together to promote more sustainable product use.