Synteris

MaterialsBaltimore, MD, USAFounded 2021· One of 977 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse

Develops precursor powders and Selective Laser Reaction Sintering (SLRS) technology for additive manufacturing of high-performance non-oxide ceramics (carbides, nitrides, borides), enabling net-shape parts with no post-processing or volume change.

CEO / Founder: Lillie Reyes
Team Size: 1-10
Stage: Early Stage
Total Funding: $4.7M
Latest Round: Grant
Key Investors: U.S. Department of Energy (ARPA-E); DARPA; Early Charm Ventures

Technology & Products

Key Products

Precursor powders for 3D printing non-oxide ceramics; SLRS technology for in-situ ceramic synthesis; 3D-printed ceramic components for power electronics and defense

Technological Advantage

Technology licensed from Johns Hopkins University (patented SLRS method) enables production of complex-shaped non-oxide ceramics with exceptional strength and thermal conductivity for high-temperature applications (>2000°C), protected by exclusive licensing and DARPA-funded development.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Reduces ceramic part production lead time by eliminating post-processing sintering furnaces and binders, while enabling complex geometries (e.g., internal cooling channels) that improve thermal management efficiency by up to 50% compared to traditional flat substrates.

How They Differentiate

Focuses on non-oxide ceramics (carbides, nitrides) via SLRS for net-shape production without post-processing, whereas competitors like Lithoz use lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) requiring debinding and sintering, adding 24-48 hours to lead times.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Power electronics manufacturers, defense contractors, aerospace companies, and industrial firms requiring high-temperature, high-strength ceramic components.

Industry Verticals

Energy; Defense; Aerospace; Electronics; Industrial Manufacturing

Competitors

Lithoz; 3DCeram; Desktop Metal (through acquired ceramics capabilities)

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Awarded $2.7M ARPA-E grant from U.S. Department of Energy in 2022 to scale ceramic 3D printing technology for electronics packaging

Major Milestones

2021: Founded and licensed SLRS technology from Johns Hopkins University; 2023: Awarded $2.7M grant from U.S. Department of Energy for ceramic packaging in power electronics; 2025: Secured DARPA funding for super-tough ceramics in defense applications

Notable Customers

U.S. Department of Energy; DARPA

https://synteris.com

Why this company matters

Synteris occupies a niche in ceramic additive manufacturing by focusing on non-oxide ceramics—carbides, nitrides, and borides—that are difficult to process with conventional methods. Its proprietary Selective Laser Reaction Sintering (SLRS) technology synthesizes ceramics in-situ from precursor powders in reactive atmospheres such as methane or ammonia. This approach yields net-shape parts with no volume change, eliminating the debinding and sintering steps that add 24-48 hours to lead times in lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) processes used by competitors like Lithoz.

The company's technology was licensed from Johns Hopkins University and has been developed with funding from DARPA and the U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E program. Synteris targets power electronics manufacturers, defense contractors, and aerospace firms that require high-strength, thermally conductive ceramic components capable of operating above 2000°C. Applications include internal cooling channels for thermal management, where the company claims efficiency improvements of up to 50% compared to traditional flat substrates.

Synteris faces established competitors such as Lithoz, 3DCeram, and Desktop Metal's ceramics unit, all of which rely on binder-based processes that require post-processing. The company's differentiation hinges on its ability to produce complex-shaped non-oxide ceramics in a single step, though its small team and early-stage funding—$4.7 million raised from ARPA-E, DARPA, and Early Charm Ventures—mean it must scale production and customer adoption to compete at commercial volumes.