Oklahoma State team’s (OSU) Innovators Take Top Honors With Game-Changing 3D Printer) SCIVINCE tech wins Entrepreneur’s Cup with multi-axis printing innovation.
A team of Oklahoma State University innovators has captured the top prize at this year’s Entrepreneur’s Cup competition with a potentially industry-disrupting 3D printing technology.
The OSU trio of Soroosh Farsiani, Mahla Hosseini and William Petty walked away with the $21,000 top prize in the High Growth Graduate division at the prestigious Oklahoma business plan contest held on April 22 at Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers Theatre.
Their winning entry – SCIVINCE – features groundbreaking multi-axis, counter-gravity 3D printing technology that could revolutionize manufacturing processes across several industries.
The name SCIVINCE, a blend of “science” and “convenience,” aptly describes the technology that enhances 3D printed product functionality while significantly reducing manufacturing costs – particularly beneficial for aerospace, healthcare, and automotive sectors.
Unlike conventional 3D printers, SCIVINCE employs multiple print heads capable of printing from all directions. This innovative approach allows users to customize layer orientation and material placement throughout the part – a feature not currently available in the market.
“Our goal was to create a design that enhanced product strength and durability, and our research proved that we succeeded,” said Farsiani, a Ph.D. candidate in OSU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “But we also eliminated the need for a support structure in the printing process, which could save at least 15% on material, and in some cases, up to 50%.”
The technology delivers impressive performance metrics, increasing product strength and durability by 14% while achieving at least 20% faster and more efficient printing. Perhaps most significantly, SCIVINCE empowers businesses to manufacture complex, multi-material designs that are simply impossible with current 3D printing technologies.
The project began as a conversation between Farsiani and Dr. Hadi Noori, an assistant professor at OSU, who pondered whether creating an upside-down 3D printer might be possible – something current models can’t accomplish.
After developing a promising prototype, the team sought business expertise through OSU’s National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps Program, conducting over 200 customer interviews to refine their market approach.
With their recent state-level victory secured, the SCIVINCE team has set their sights on national business plan competitions while continuing to develop both their product and business model.
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They’ve applied for a Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research grant worth over $314,000 to further develop their prototype hardware and software while expanding the business side of their venture.
“Two years ago, when this all started, I had no idea how to even talk to a person about my technology,” Farsiani reflected. “But now, based on what I learned in the business and entrepreneurship workshops, I learned how to bring the invention to market — and that’s huge.”
