Thanks to additive manufacturing technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory was able to fabricate a robotic hand with less energy use and material waste. The novel, lightweight, low-cost fluid powered hand was selected for a 2012 R&D 100 award. | Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Energy Department's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory includes an array of state-of-the-art additive manufacturing capabilities, allowing researchers and industry to develop innovative manufacturing solutions. | Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

With research help from the Energy Department's National Laboratories, Stratasys and Optomec Inc. developed a manufacturing first when they merged 3D printing and printed electronics. The two companies created the "smart wing" -- an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) model -- by using additive manufacturing technologies and printing fully functional electronics on the wing structure. | Photo courtesy of Optomec & Stratasys.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu adds his signature to FIRST Robotics Competition entry from Hardin Valley Academy, Knoxville, TN. The robot was created using additive manufacturing as part of STEM -- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics -- education outreach at the Energy Department's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. Hardin Valley Academy's FIRST Robotics entry will be at today's National Network for Manufacturing Innovation pilot announcement. | Photo courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.