Advanced Materials
Material formulation, processing, and characterization work carried from bench scale toward repeatable production.
From Research Innovation to Deployable Technology
4D Maker develops and commercializes advanced materials, sensors, energy devices, robotics, and manufacturing technologies for real-world applications.
4D Maker, LLCRecord
- Location
- Founded in Michigan
- Established
- 2021
- Programs
- Federal SBIR/STTR Experience
- Funding
- State of Michigan Funding
- Patents
- 2 U.S. Patents
- Disclosures
- Multiple Invention Disclosures
What we build
Four connected areas of work. Most projects draw on more than one.
Sensors and Energy Devices
Device design, fabrication, and bring-up for sensing and energy applications, including the electronics and packaging around them.
Robotics and Automation
Motion, control, and automated handling built to run in production and field environments rather than on a lab bench.
Product Engineering and Commercialization
The engineering that turns a working prototype into a product a customer can buy, install, and operate.
Technology to market
Research becomes a product through a sequence of stages. 4D Maker works across all of them, and can join a programme already underway.
- 01
Research and Discovery
Define the technical problem, survey approaches, and establish what has to be true for the concept to work.
- 02
Prototype Development
Build early hardware to test the core mechanism and retire the highest technical risks first.
- 03
Product Engineering
Move from a working prototype toward a design that can be manufactured, serviced, and repeated.
- 04
System Integration
Fit the technology to the equipment, controls, and interfaces already in place at the site.
- 05
Customer Installation
Install, commission, and hand over working hardware in the customer's operating environment.
- 06
Commercialization
Plan production, supply, and support so the technology can be delivered beyond the first installation.
Where it is applied
Sectors and programme types the company's technical work supports.
Advanced Manufacturing
Process and equipment technologies developed for production environments.
Sensors and Instrumentation
Measurement hardware for monitoring, testing, and process feedback.
Energy Technologies
Energy device development spanning materials, fabrication, and integration.
Robotics and Automation
Automated motion and handling for manufacturing and laboratory work.
Industrial Systems
Integration of new hardware with existing industrial equipment and controls.
Research and Government Programs
Federal and state funded R&D executed as a small-business contractor.
Featured work
4D Maker serves as the prime small-business contractor on STTR work, carrying responsibility from product engineering through customer installation.
Prime contractor
STTR Program — Prime Small-Business Contractor
4D Maker serves as the prime small-business contractor on STTR work, holding responsibility for the engineering and commercialization path from prototype hardware through installation at the customer site.
- Product engineering
- Adapter development
- Customer installations
- System integration
- Commercialization
Project details available upon request.
Research and intellectual property
4D Maker's technical work is funded through competitive federal and state research programs. Intellectual property developed in that work is protected through issued patents and ongoing invention disclosures.
Federal Programs
Federal SBIR/STTR
Experience executing federal SBIR and STTR research, including service as the prime small-business contractor on STTR work.
State Programs
State of Michigan Funding
Research and development supported by State of Michigan funding programs.
Granted
2 U.S. Patents
Two issued United States patents covering technology developed by the company.
Pending
Multiple Invention Disclosures
Additional inventions documented through internal disclosures as development continues.
Discuss a partnership
4D Maker works with industry, research institutions, and government programs to move technology from research into deployment. Tell us what you are trying to build.