Awards and Recognitions

Enabled Engineering Wins xTechSearch 8 for Breakthrough Solid-State Manufacturing Innovation

Enabled Engineering is proud to announce its selection as a winner in the prestigious xTechSearch 8 competition, hosted by the U.S. Army’s xTech Program. This achievement marks a major milestone for our team and technology, as we continue to redefine what’s possible in materials manufacturing with our patented SolidStir® platform. Designed to meet the critical demands of defense and aerospace applications, our solid-state additive manufacturing and extrusion technologies offer unmatched performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability—without the limitations of traditional melting-based processes.

xTechSearch 8 recognizes trailblazing small businesses that are developing transformative dual-use technologies with both commercial and defense potential. Competing alongside top innovators across the country, Enabled Engineering impressed judges with our novel approach to friction-based, deformation-driven material processing. Our SolidStir® solutions enable the rapid fabrication of high-performance metal components from recycled feedstock, powders, and chips—helping to strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce waste, and manufacture mission-critical parts in forward-operating environments.

Winning this competition validates our vision and provides an invaluable opportunity to partner directly with the U.S. Army to advance next-generation manufacturing. As we move into the next phase of development, Enabled Engineering looks forward to deeper collaboration with defense stakeholders, scaling our technology, and delivering impact where it matters most. We thank the xTech team for their support and belief in our mission to enable smarter, sustainable, and strategic engineering for the future.​

Enabled Engineering Wins NASA’s BIG Idea Challenge for Lunar Manufacturing Innovation

Enabled Engineering, in collaboration with the University of North Texas, has emerged victorious in NASA’s 2023 Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-changing (BIG) Idea Challenge. Their winning entry, SIMPLE — Solid-state Integrated Manufacturing Process for Lunar Environment — showcased a pioneering approach to producing metal components directly from lunar regolith using solid-state processing techniques. The project stood out for its energy-efficient design, adaptability to the Moon’s harsh environment, and potential to significantly reduce the need for Earth-launched infrastructure in future lunar missions.

The SIMPLE system leverages advanced materials processing methods developed by Enabled Engineering and UNT’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes Institute. By eliminating the need for high-temperature melting, the system minimizes energy demands while still delivering durable, high-quality metallic parts. The judges praised SIMPLE for its technical maturity, innovative integration of friction-based methods, and practical path toward deployment as part of Artemis-era lunar construction.

Winning the BIG Idea Challenge is not just a recognition of technological excellence, but also a significant step forward for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) strategies. Enabled Engineering’s success reinforces the potential of industry-academic partnerships in solving the real-world challenges of space exploration. As NASA advances toward a sustainable human presence on the Moon, innovations like SIMPLE will be crucial in building infrastructure, reducing supply chain dependency, and unlocking a new era of space manufacturing.

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