Since its inception in 2024, ALFA MIMTECH has been involved in the IRIDISCENTE project (‘Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Design of Efficient Alloys and Processes’), an ambitious research initiative aimed at revolutionising the steel industry through the sustainable design of alloys and the optimisation of industrial processes with advanced technologies. Our role in the project focuses on manufacturing components with high requirements for the medical industry, a sector that demands materials with exceptional mechanical properties and biocompatibility. The incorporation of emerging technologies will allow us to improve the quality and sustainability of our products, ensuring innovative solutions for healthcare.
IRIDISCENTE Project: Innovation for a sustainable future
The IRIDISCENTE project is coordinated by the IMDEA Materials Foundation and ArcelorMittal, with the participation of several academic and technological institutions, including the University Carlos III of Madrid, the University of Burgos, AIMEN Technology Centre, TheNextPangea, Renishaw Ibérica, Blesol Tech, AENIUM, IDAERO SOLUTIONS and Syspro Automation. With a budget of more than 9 million euros, funded by the TRANSMISSIONS programme of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, this is the largest project coordinated by IMDEA Materials to date.
This project is implementing several key technologies for sustainable alloy design and process improvement in the metallurgical industry:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): Development of AI tools for the design of new metal alloys from scrap, process optimisation and data analysis along the entire value chain.
Advanced manufacturing: Research into four advanced technologies for processing metal powders, including:
- Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
- Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
- Composite Extrusion Moulding (CEM)
- Metal Injectin Moulding (MIM)
Advanced simulation: Reduced models developed using Machine Learning algorithms, leveraging data from multiphysics and multiscale simulations.
Automatic characterization: Application of analysis and automated data processing techniques obtained through advanced characterization.
Digital methodology: Development of a digital methodology for the design, processing, and intelligent automatic characterization of new safe and sustainable metallic materials.
These technologies will optimise the use of scrap with high alloy content, reduce dependence on strategic metals from third countries and develop more flexible and sustainable industrial processes for the production of high value-added components.
ALFA MIMTECH’s role in the medical industry
At ALFA MIMTECH, our commitment to innovation and excellence drives us to apply our expertise in Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) within the IRIDISCENTE project, with the aim of developing cutting-edge solutions for the medical industry. MIM enables the manufacturing of high-precision metal parts with complex geometries and superior mechanical properties, making it an ideal technology for producing implants, surgical instruments, and advanced biomedical devices.
Our participation in this project reinforces our commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and the enhancement of material properties used in medical applications. Thanks to the combination of AI, advanced manufacturing, and advanced simulation, we are contributing to the development of new metallic alloys that enhance the safety, durability, and functionality of future medical devices.
ALFA MIMTECH’s collaboration in the IRIDISCENTE project marks a milestone in the application of advanced digital technologies in the manufacture of medical components. We are excited to be part of an initiative that is not only set to revolutionise the industry, but is also setting new standards in the manufacture of materials for people’s health and well-being.
