StreamSTEP at the National Conference for Materials Technology 2026
The StreamSTEP project was showcased at the National Conference for Materials Technology 2026 in Oslo, Norway, on 3 June 2026. During the event, Christa Nimbona (Elkem/Future Materials) and Dr. Kai Zhang (SINTEF) presented their work entitled “High-Performance Hypereutectic Al-Si Alloys Developed for Metal Additive Manufacturing”, with a focus on the use case “3D-printed ejector based on aluminum silicide powder for heat pump applications.”
The conference, which was officially opened by Norway’s Minister of Education, brought together leading stakeholders from across the Norwegian materials science and technology community to discuss the latest advances in research, innovation, and industrial applications.
During their presentation, Christa Nimbona (Elkem/Future Materials) and Dr. Kai Zhang (SINTEF) showcased the successful collaboration between their organizations, leading to the successful production of aluminum silicide powder at the Future Materials Catapult Center in Kristiansand. The powder was specifically engineered to achieve the optimal particle size distribution, morphology, and flowability required for processing in SINTEF’s SLM 280 Laser Powder Bed Fusion system in Trondheim.
The resulting additively manufactured components demonstrated excellent material performance, including high-temperature strength, low thermal expansion, and enhanced wear resistance.
The conference abstract is available in the official proceedings (p. 30) here.
About the conference:
The National Conference for Materials Technology 2026: Materials for the Future – Advancing the Norwegian Industry was organised by the Norwegian Metallography Association, the Norwegian Corrosion Technology Association, and the Norwegian Polytechnic Society on 2–3 June 2026 in Oslo.
This year's conference focused on the research, innovations, and industrial solutions shaping the future of Norway’s materials sector. Key topics included sustainability, circular economy approaches, advanced materials technologies, and innovative manufacturing methods. The event also served as an important platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and showcasing the work of emerging researchers.
The participation of StreamSTEP at the conference provided an excellent opportunity to disseminate project results, engage with the materials science community, and demonstrate how advanced manufacturing technologies can contribute to more sustainable and efficient industrial processes.
