# NASA Update: Master Class, Alloys, AI & the Future Engineering Generations

- Show: [Additive Snack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack)
- Published: 2025-08-06
- Length: 54m
- Episode: 18
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/5dee80e1

## Summary

Paul Gradl, Principal Engineer at NASA, discusses the expansion of additive manufacturing materials, highlighting high-performance alloys like GR COP and GRX 810 developed for extreme environments and now used in semiconductors and energy. He explains how AI and modeling are accelerating alloy development, while NASA shares public data to help the industry overcome qualification challenges. Gradl also details the scaling of large-scale parts via Directed Energy Deposition (DED), the role of additive in space infrastructure including lunar regolith printing, and a recent test stand failure that underscored the importance of understanding process sensitivities like build interruptions.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations#t=7) Introduction: Paul Gradl and NASA's Additive Manufacturing Role
- [2:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations#t=153) Expansion of Additive Materials: Alloys and Applications
- [13:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations#t=827) AI and Modeling in Alloy Development
- [17:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations#t=1067) Scaling Up: Large Parts and DED Processes
- [23:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations#t=1421) Additive in Rockets, Satellites, and In-Space Manufacturing
- [31:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations#t=1892) Lunar Regolith, Moon Dust, and Asteroid Mining
- [36:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations#t=2171) Learning from Failure: Engine Test Stand Story
- [43:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations#t=2600) Metal AM Master Class Announcement
- [45:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-08-06-nasa-update-master-class-alloys-ai-the-future-engineering-generations#t=2725) Mentorship, STEM, and 3D Printing at Home

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- NASA (company)
- GR COP (material)
- GRX 810 (material)
- EOS (company)
- AlphaFold (tool)
- Google (company)
- Glenn Research Center (company)
- Inconel (material)
- Haynes alloys (material)
- Titanium (material)
- Aluminum (material)
- Lunar Regolith (material)
- Directed Energy Deposition (tool)
- Cold Spray (tool)
- Additive Friction Stir Deposition (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Why Your Toughest Parts Still Use 50-Year-Old Materials w/ Fazal Mahmood](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-09-08-why-your-toughest-parts-still-use-50-year-old-materials-w-fazal-mahmood) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [The Digital Warehouse: A Look Inside Additive Manufacturing w/ Melanie Lang](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-03-01-the-digital-warehouse-a-look-inside-additive-manufacturing-w-melanie-lang) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [21. AI Rescues Firefighters, NASA Prints Spacecraft Parts, Plug & Play Prosthetics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-06-08-21-ai-rescues-firefighters-nasa-prints-spacecraft-parts-plug-play-prosthetics) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [14. NASA’s Asteroid Mission, Organic Polymers in HVAC, Beer Factories with 3D Printers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-04-20-14-nasas-asteroid-mission-organic-polymers-in-hvac-beer-factories-with-3d-printe) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Ep 296: Supercon Wrapup with Tom and Al, The 3DP Brick Layering Controversy, and How To Weld in Space](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-11-15-ep-296-supercon-wrapup-with-tom-and-al-the-3dp-brick-layering-controversy-and-ho) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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