Blossom Health, a New York-based telepsychiatry startup founded in 2024, has raised $20 million in combined seed and Series A funding to scale an AI-powered platform that pairs psychiatrists with clinical copilots and automated administrative support. The round was led by Headline, whose co-founder and managing partner Mathias Schilling is joining the company’s board. Village Global and TA Ventures returned from earlier rounds, with Operator Partners and Correlation Ventures joining as new institutional backers alongside angel investors including founders from General Catalyst, Flatiron Health, Sword Health, and Zip.

The company, founded by CEO John Zhao, is built around a specific premise: that the bottleneck in psychiatric care is not a shortage of clinical knowledge but a shortage of time. Psychiatrists in the United States spend roughly half their working hours on non-clinical tasks, including documentation, billing, insurance authorisation, and scheduling. Blossom’s platform automates much of this through a network of AI agents that handle billing, reception, care coordination, and medical scribing, while a separate set of clinical copilots assist with symptom evaluation, diagnosis refinement, and medication selection during patient encounters.

The scale of the problem

The psychiatric workforce shortage in the United States is severe and worsening. More than 122 million Americans live in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. The national psychiatrist-to-population ratio stands at one provider for every 5,058 residents. Roughly 60 per cent of practising psychiatrists are 55 or older, meaning a significant portion of the existing workforce will retire within the next decade. Wait times for an initial psychiatric appointment range from three weeks to six months depending on location, and in many rural counties there are no psychiatrists at all.

This gap has created a market. US digital health startups raised $14.2 billion in 2025, the highest total since 2022, with AI-powered companies accounting for 54 per cent of that funding. Within mental health specifically, Talkiatry, an in-network telepsychiatry platform, raised $210 million in February 2026. Spring Health, which uses AI for personalised treatment recommendations, is valued at $3.3 billion. Ambient clinical scribes, the category of AI that automatically generates notes from patient conversations, produced $600 million in revenue last year alone.

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Blossom is small by comparison. The company says its tools are used by hundreds of clinicians treating more than 10,000 patients across multiple US states. Most patients are seen within 48 hours, with many receiving same-day appointments. Blossom accepts all major commercial insurers, including Optum UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna Evernorth, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, with average copays of around $22.

Copilot, not replacement

The “copilot” framing is deliberate and important. Blossom is not building a therapy chatbot. Its AI tools sit alongside licensed psychiatrists during clinical encounters, surfacing relevant information, helping evaluate symptoms against diagnostic criteria, and suggesting medication adjustments based on the patient’s history and current presentation. The psychiatrist retains clinical authority over every decision.

Between appointments, the platform uses AI agents to maintain contact with patients through text-based check-ins on sleep, mood, medication adherence, and other indicators. Fortune reported that in the case of postpartum depression, for example, the system follows up with conversational prompts that surface warning signs and prepare information for clinicians ahead of the next visit. This approach converts what has traditionally been episodic care, where a patient sees a psychiatrist for 15 minutes every few months and is otherwise unsupported, into something closer to continuous monitoring.

The clinical claims are plausible but early. Blossom says it has demonstrated the ability to stabilise mental health conditions and prevent progression toward more intensive care, but the company has not published peer-reviewed clinical evidence. At 10,000 patients, the dataset is meaningful for a company this young but far too small to draw population-level conclusions about clinical efficacy.

The Cerebral cautionary tale

Any startup operating at the intersection of AI, telepsychiatry, and controlled substance prescribing inherits the reputational burden of what came before. Cerebral, the telemental health company that raised $300 million at a $4.8 billion valuation in 2022, became the subject of a Department of Justice investigation into its prescribing practices for controlled substances and paid a $7 million settlement to the Federal Trade Commission over allegations of misleading cancellation policies and data sharing. The company’s rapid growth, which prioritised patient volume over clinical rigour, damaged trust across the sector.

Blossom’s architecture is different in important ways. It works through licensed psychiatrists rather than nurse practitioners prescribing independently, and its AI tools are positioned as decision support rather than decision-makers. But the fundamental tension remains: scaling psychiatric care through technology requires maintaining clinical quality at volumes that a traditional practice model was never designed to handle. The AI copilot must be good enough to genuinely assist clinicians without introducing errors that a time-pressed psychiatrist might not catch, particularly in medication selection, where psychiatric pharmacology is notoriously complex and highly individual.

The $20 million will fund expansion into additional US states, new insurance partnerships, clinician recruitment, and continued research and development. For a company founded less than two years ago, treating over 10,000 patients with in-network insurance coverage is a notable operational achievement. Whether the clinical copilot meaningfully improves outcomes, or simply makes it faster to deliver care at the same quality, is the question the next round of funding will need to answer.

Anyone looking for a new opportunity in the engineering space should consider one of the following courses as part of their upskilling process.

While it is an innovative, exciting and dynamic sector, the STEM space and the careers that exist within it demand consistent and up-to-date training in order to ensure professionals are operating at their peak. Upskilling is an essential element of engineering careers and with that in mind, the following courses could be an ideal way for you to stay in the know and ahead of the game. 

Coursera

For those looking for an introductory course to be undertaken flexibly, IBM via Coursera is running a free Introduction to Software Engineering programme. It consists of six modules, is aimed at beginners and can be managed at the learners’ own pace. It also comes with a certificate upon completion of the course.

Also available via Coursera, with free online enrollment, is a 12-week introduction to Systems Engineering Specialisation, offered by the University of Colorado, Boulder. The beginner-level programme can be accessed in eight different languages and aims to teach the fundamentals, methods, practices and processes of industry-standard systems engineering.

Coursera also offers a range of courses designed for more advanced learners. For example, a Microsoft AI & ML Engineering Professional Certificate. The free six-month programme aims to prepare students and professionals for a career in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Coursera itself also has a free four-week Deep Learning Engineering Specialisation course for advanced students. 

Further Education and PLC

For students based in Louth, looking to earn their level five qualifications, there is a Further Education and PLC, level five QQI course in Engineering Technology. The programme is said to equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to gain employment, access apprenticeship programmes and progress to further study in universities and institutes of technology. Successful graduates will have the opportunity to find employment in areas such as engineering machine operations, civil engineering, electrical engineering and advanced manufacturing, alongside others. 

In Dunboyne, Meath there is a year-long level five Engineering Technology course open to prospective students looking towards future education. It is a pre-university engineering course designed to to prepare the student for work in the field of engineering via entry into a third-level institution. Students who graduate from this course can pursue further study at degree level and will be well placed to gain apprenticeships in the many different engineering sectors through Generation Apprenticeship Ireland. There are a range of level five opportunities available nationwide, so be sure to find one that is convenient. 

South East Technological University

South East Technological University (SETU) has dozens of opportunities for engineering students and professionals, to fit a range of lifestyles and ambitions. Courses for those looking for their bachelor’s degree include standard four-year programmes in areas such as agricultural systems engineering, electronic engineering, aerospace engineering and automation engineering, among others. 

For more established students, there are also several one-year master’s degrees, such as the Master of Science in Engineering Research and Innovation and Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Engineering. Different courses will have unique requirements, commitments and prices, so make sure to read up on your chosen course first. 

Udemy

Educational platform Udemy has a free Engineering Mechanics Fundamentals to Proficiency course, which can be undertaken at the learners convenience online. The programme is aimed at beginners, covers a range of topics such as foundational mechanics and principles and will require an understanding of basic maths and physics. Udemy has dozens of free and paid options, to suit a variety of budgets and lifestyles, including, The Complete Full Stack AI Engineering Bootcamp, Site Reliability Engineering and The Complete Mechanical Engineering Course, which claims to offer 12 courses in one. 

Whether you are a complete novice, an enthusiast, a graduate or an established professional, there is really no incorrect way to engage with learning, provided you have a clear idea of what it is you hope to achieve from the experience. So make sure to do your research, identify your weaknesses and shop around for the course or learning materials that match your ambitions and available resources. 

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Have you ever asked a chatbot something and felt like it completely missed your point? You say something with a bit of nuance, and the AI misses the subtlety entirely. That is exactly the problem researchers are trying to solve.

Even though the emotional connection with AI can feel deeper than human conversation for many users, most AI systems today still treat a sentence as a single block of sentiment. If you mix praise and criticism, the nuance often gets lost.

The research, by Zhifeng Yuan and Jin Yuan, introduces a model that can break down a sentence and understand how you feel about each part, instead of generalizing everything into one response.

How this system helps AI read your intent better

Think about a sentence like, “The food was great, but the service was terrible.” A typical AI chatbot might struggle because the sentence has both positive and negative emotions.

The proposed model looks at each part of the sentence separately and connects each emotion to the right subject. It relies on an ‘emotional keywords attention network’ to do that.

In simple terms, it teaches AI to focus on words that carry strong emotions, such as “great” or “terrible.” These words guide the system toward understanding what matters most in the sentence.

The model then links those emotional cues to a specific aspect. It learns that “great” applies to food, while “terrible” applies to service. This process, known as aspect-level sentiment analysis, makes responses far more precise.

It also uses attention mechanisms to understand context, so it does not rely on keywords alone. It can figure out how different parts of a sentence connect. Researchers say this method performs better than existing models on standard benchmarks.

This approach can make AI chatbots feel more human

If adopted widely, this could change how AI responds in real-world situations. Chatbots could handle nuanced feedback more effectively instead of defaulting to generic replies. Customer support systems could pinpoint exactly what went wrong and respond with greater accuracy.

While concerns grow around AI chatbots mirroring human personality traits a little too well, one thing is clear. AI is here to stay, and if it is going to be part of everyday conversations, it needs to get better at reading the room.

Oh Marantz…what exactly are you playing at here?

Just when the sub $1,000 streaming amplifier category had turned into a predictable arms race of inputs, outputs, and firmware promises, along came the Marantz Model M1 with that unmistakable Marantz swagger that is now backed by HEOS multi-room integration and Dirac Live room correction to give it some real-world muscle. Sure, the WiiM Amp Ultra and Eversolo Play might dazzle you with more HDMI ports, coaxial inputs, and firmware update promises than a Tesla—but do they offer this much soul? Doubtful.

Here’s the part nobody in the industry really wants to say out loud. The future isn’t being decided in six-figure listening rooms with Italian racks and cables that cost more than your first car. It’s being decided in apartments, offices, and living rooms where people want one box, real performance, and no drama.

The question is whether the industry actually leans into that shift or keeps pretending the old model still scales. Brands like Fosi, WiiM, Bluesound, NAD, Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, and Cambridge Audio clearly see where the market is going. Others? Still chasing a shrinking pool of traditional audiophiles with very deep pockets and very finite patience.

Marantz, to its credit, is covering both ends of the spectrum. The Model M1 reflects where the market is heading, while the Model 10 represents its high-end ambitions; and it’s one of the better implementations of Class D amplification we’ve seen, even if the price puts it out of reach for most buyers. Between those two sits a full range of AVRs and stereo receivers that bridge the gap and make a lot more sense for how people actually build systems today.

Marantz Model M1 Features and Connectivity: Fewer Ports, More Purpose

The Marantz Model M1 is designed as a compact, all-in-one streaming amplifier that simplifies system building without stripping away capability. Rated at 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms with very low distortion, it has enough power to drive a wide range of bookshelf and smaller floorstanding speakers—within reason, of course.

The inclusion of a dedicated subwoofer output with adjustable crossover and ±15dB level trim adds real flexibility for 2.1 setups, allowing for proper integration rather than guesswork.

Unlike traditional integrated amplifiers that juggle analog and digital signal paths, the M1 operates as a digital-first platform. It supports high resolution PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD playback, handling content from streaming services, network storage, or direct USB input with consistency. This approach keeps the signal path clean and controlled, which aligns with Marantz’s goal of delivering a more refined and stable sonic presentation rather than chasing raw specification extremes.

Connectivity is focused but practical. Wireless options include Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, while HEOS provides the backbone for multi-room audio with support for up to 32 zones. HEOS also enables integration with home control systems such as Control4, URC, and Crestron, making the M1 viable in both simple and more complex installations.

It also works as a Roon player, although that requires an active Roon subscription and a Roon Core running on your network. The Core acts as the media server and can be hosted on a computer, NAS drive, or other compatible hardware.

For TV integration, HDMI eARC allows the M1 to function as a legitimate soundbar alternative with proper stereo imaging and significantly better amplification. Volume and power control can be handled directly through the TV remote, and the unit can be tucked out of sight without losing usability thanks to full app control and IR learning capability for third-party remotes.

One limitation worth noting is the lack of a built-in phono stage. Vinyl playback requires either a turntable with a built-in preamp or an external phono stage connected to the analog input. It’s a deliberate omission that reinforces the M1’s digital-first identity, but one that analog-focused users will need to plan around.

Onboard Dolby Digital+ decoding supports the audio codecs commonly used by broadcast and streaming TV services, making the Model M1 a viable upgrade over a typical soundbar. Additional options include Dialogue Enhancer for clearer vocals and a Virtual mode that uses Dolby processing to create a more immersive sound field from stereo content.

The Model M1 can also be paired with additional units for multi-room or expanded system setups, and its compact chassis allows two units to fit side-by-side in a standard 19-inch equipment rack if needed.

Cooling is handled through passive thermal management, so there are no fans to introduce noise or potential failure points. Combined with threaded mounting points on the bottom panel, this allows the amplifier to be installed cleanly on a wall bracket or inside cabinetry without concerns about heat buildup.

The Model M1 measures 8-9/16 inches wide, 3-3/8 inches high, and 9-15/16 inches deep, weighs 4.84 pounds, and includes a 5-year warranty.

Building a System Around the Marantz Model M1

This is where things get practical. The goal here isn’t to be cheap, it’s to be smart. There’s a difference. Chasing the lowest price usually ends with compromises you can hear five minutes into your first album. The better play is finding speakers that won’t wreck your bank account, because let’s be honest, gas and electric bills are already doing a fine job of that, but still deliver real synergy with the M1 without forcing you into endless EQ tweaks.

That matters more than ever with a product like this. The Model M1 has the control and resolution to expose mismatches, but it’s also forgiving enough to reward a well-balanced pairing. You may not even need a subwoofer depending on your room size and speaker choice, which simplifies things even further. And now that Dirac Live room correction is part of the equation, you’ve got a tool that can actually address room issues that used to derail setups like this. Not a miracle cure, but a serious advantage if you use it properly.

I rotated through the DALI Kupid, Q Acoustics 3020c, Acoustic Energy AE100 MK2, and stepped up to the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 and Q Acoustics 5040 floorstanders to see how far the M1 could stretch without things getting stupid.

The goal wasn’t to build some aspirational system that lives on a dealer floor. I kept the ceiling under $3,000 for a straightforward two-channel setup, and around $5,000 if you add a turntable or a compact subwoofer. Real-world money. Real-world rooms. The kind of systems people actually use in a den, living room, or bedroom without needing a second mortgage or a dedicated listening shrine.

For some people, the first question is obvious: can this small box actually drive medium to higher-sensitivity floorstanding speakers, or is that pushing it? The answer is yes—with some limits. It comes down to how loud you listen and how much space you’re trying to fill.

In my setup, both the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 and Q Acoustics 5040 proved to be very workable pairings, but placement matters. These aren’t speakers you shove against a wall and forget about. They need roughly 2 to 3 feet of space behind them and at least 2 feet from the side walls to open up properly.

Give them that breathing room and they reward you with excellent imaging and a presentation that pulls away from the cabinets. The soundstage stretches wide, with a convincing sense of height, and both models do a very good job of disappearing when everything is dialed in correctly.

Darkness on the Edge of Town?

From a tonal perspective, the M1 leans slightly to the dark side of the Force, but not at the expense of clarity, speed, or overall presence. It’s not veiled or slow—it just carries more weight and density through the midrange and bass. Compared to something like the WiiM Ultra, the difference is obvious. The M1 delivers more texture and physicality, while the WiiM chases a bit more sparkle and top-end detail. The Marantz never comes across as thin or clinical.

If you’re familiar with Audiolab’s integrated and streaming amps, this goes in the opposite direction. Audiolab tends to run cool, clean, and very controlled, sometimes to the point of feeling a little detached. The M1 adds body, more impact down low, and a sense of drive that makes music feel less polite. You do give up some resolution and edge definition in the bass compared to Audiolab, but the trade-off is a more engaging and substantial presentation.

That character really shows itself with electronic music. Deadmau5, Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream; the M1 hits harder and fills in the space between notes in a way that feels more physical. It’s less about precision and more about momentum. Think thick Crayola markers versus ultra-fine ink pens. The Audiolab and WiiM draw cleaner lines, but the Marantz isn’t afraid to color outside them, and for this kind of music, that’s exactly the right move.

Switching over to vocals, the M1 keeps that same tonal balance intact. Male vocals come through with solid texture and weight, sitting slightly forward without sounding pushed. There’s a fullness here that works well with most recordings, but the speaker pairing makes a noticeable difference. I preferred vocals through the Q Acoustics 5040 over the Wharfedale Diamond 12.3; the 5040 offers better resolution and cleaner lower midrange detail, which gives voices more definition without thinning them out.

Sam Cooke, Elvis, Nick Cave, Jason Isbell, and John Prine all came across smooth and grounded. For some listeners, that might tip a bit too far into “safe,” depending on the speaker. Nick Cave in particular benefited from the added weight, but I missed a bit of the edge and growl that defines his delivery. The M1 doesn’t strip away character, but it does round things off slightly.

Bookshelf Speakers and the Marantz M1: Where Synergy Wins

The bookshelf choices here weren’t random. The DALI Kupid, Q Acoustics 3020c, and Acoustic Energy AE100 MK2 were picked with a specific goal in mind; maximize performance without turning the room into an equipment shrine. These are the kinds of speakers that can live on proper stands or sit cleanly on a credenza under a TV and still deliver a convincing, full-range experience.

To make that work, they had to check a few non-negotiable boxes: real presence, enough impact to carry both music and movie soundtracks, strong imaging, and a soundstage that doesn’t collapse the second you move off-axis. This isn’t about chasing perfection which isn’t realistic at this price point. it’s about building a system that actually works in a real room, with real constraints, and still sounds like you didn’t cut corners.

For a deeper look at all three, you can check out my shoot-out results, but the short version is that each brings something worthwhile to the table with the M1. The Q Acoustics 3020c is the most complete of the group, offering more output, a wider soundstage, and better overall resolution. The Acoustic Energy AE100 MK2 trades some of that refinement for greater low-end presence and a punchier upper bass and lower midrange, which gives it more weight with rock and electronic tracks.

The DALI Kupid is the most lively of the three, with a more energetic top end that adds air and sparkle without tipping into harshness. That’s not an accident; DALI has a long track record of getting tweeter design right, and it shows here. It’s open and engaging, but never brittle. That said, its U.S. pricing feels a bit ambitious given its size and low-end extension, especially when compared to how it’s positioned in other markets.

So what would I actually buy? Having lived with both pairs of floorstanders, along with the Q Acoustics 3020c and Acoustic Energy AE100 MK2, it’s a lot easier to sort through what works and what doesn’t. On the floorstanding side, I’d lean toward the Q Acoustics 5040—but with a clear condition. Keep them in a reasonably sized room. My den in New Jersey (16 x 13 x 9), the home office I’m converting (21 x 13 x 9), and my Florida setup (15 x 12 x 9) are all good examples of spaces where speakers like the 5040 or Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 make sense. They fill the room without overloading it with bass or turning placement into a constant battle.

On the bookshelf side, I tend to favor the DALI and Q Acoustics pairings for their balance of clarity, imaging, and overall ease of placement. They’re the safer choices if you want something that just works across music, TV, and movies. But if you’re after more low-end weight and a stronger push through the upper bass and lower mids, the Acoustic Energy AE100 MK2 is the sleeper here. It doesn’t get talked about enough. The pacing is excellent, it has real punch for its size, and it looks far more expensive than it has any right to.

But what about HEOS control? That’s going to matter more than anything for a lot of people. In my case, it’s pretty straightforward. I use TIDAL and Qobuz almost exclusively, so having access to TIDAL Connect and Qobuz integration is what I actually care about. Roon isn’t part of the equation anymore. I sold my Nucleus and haven’t looked back. With a 2TB drive on the network holding more than 1,900 CDs ripped to FLAC, I already have everything I need locally without adding another layer of software into the chain.

Before wrapping things up, I also tested the M1 with HDMI eARC across all three of my TVs in New Jersey using a QED cable. No drama. It locked in immediately with no handshake issues, and control worked exactly as expected. Movies and TV were an immediate upgrade. “Landman,” “The Madison” on Paramount+, and even NHL games all benefited from the added scale, clarity, and tonal weight. It’s not even a fair fight compared to internal TV speakers or most of the soundbars I’ve used. I’ll take a proper stereo soundstage and believable dynamics over fake surround tricks every time.

The Bottom Line

The Marantz Model M1 doesn’t try to outgun the competition on features—and that’s the point. It delivers a cohesive, full-bodied sound with real texture, strong midrange presence, and enough power to drive the kinds of speakers people actually use in real rooms. HEOS keeps everything connected, HDMI eARC works without the usual nonsense, and Dirac Live gives you a legitimate tool to deal with room issues instead of pretending they don’t exist.

What you don’t get is just as important. No phono stage, limited analog inputs, and it’s not chasing razor-sharp treble detail or lab-grade precision. This isn’t for someone building a shrine to separates. It’s for someone who wants a clean, compact system that sounds right and doesn’t require a manual and a weekend to figure out. At $1,000, it earns its keep—and then some. 

Editors’ Choice in the Network Amplifier category for those who can swing the price and have similar speaker options.

Pros:

• Full-bodied, engaging sound with strong midrange and bass weight
• Works well with both bookshelf and smaller floorstanding speakers
• HEOS integration with built-in TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, and Roon support
• HDMI eARC performs reliably in real-world use
• Dirac Live adds meaningful room correction capability
• Compact design with flexible placement options
• Excellent system-building platform for 2.0 or 2.1 setups

Cons:

• No built-in phono stage
• Limited analog connectivity
• Slightly rounded treble may not appeal to detail-focused listeners
• App-dependent control with no included remote

Where to buy:

Related Reading:

UL’s Dr Kyriakos Kourousis discusses his current research in metal additive manufacturing and the work of the Metal Plasticity and Additive Manufacturing Group at UL.

Dr Kyriakos Kourousis is an associate professor in aeronautical engineering at University of Limerick (UL), as well as director of postgraduate research and education for the university’s Faculty of Science & Engineering. He also leads UL’s Metal Plasticity and Additive Manufacturing Group.

Kourousis joined UL’s School of Engineering 12 years ago, and before his career in academia, he spent more than a decade as an aeronautical engineer in the Hellenic Air Force working on aircraft maintenance, airworthiness and structural integrity – experience that he says now shapes his research and teaching.

At UL, he teaches topics around aircraft systems, the airworthiness of aircraft and the practical engineering behind them.

In terms of his current research, Kourousis says his work focuses on two things: how metals behave when they are loaded in a repeated way, leading to permanent deformation – “what engineers call metal plasticity” – and how to make and trust 3D‑printed metal parts (metal additive manufacturing), “especially for those loading conditions that cause plasticity”.

“In simple terms, we test metals, study their microstructure, build computer models that predict how they’ll perform over time, and use those models to predict how permanent deformation builds up during their operation,” he tells SiliconRepublic.com.

“Localised permanent deformation (plasticity) is the origin of fatigue in metals. My work is both on traditional metals and 3D‑printed ones.”

Here, Kourousis tells us about his work and provides a look into the world of 3D-printed materials and aeronautical engineering.

Why is your research important?

As 3D‑printed metal parts move from prototypes to real aircraft and machinery, we need to predict their behaviour with confidence. Experimental data and models help engineers design parts that won’t crack or fail early, and help industry and regulators build the evidence needed for certification. In short, better predictions mean safer, lighter, more efficient products.

Also, from a sustainability point of view, the use and reuse of powder in metal additive manufacturing offers an important advantage over other (traditional) manufacturing processes. However, with each reuse cycle, the recycled powder changes its synthesis and overall ‘quality’, which can have an effect on the produced parts, especially in terms of their plasticity behaviour.

What has been the most surprising/interesting realisation or discovery you’ve uncovered as part of this research?

One key finding is how directional 3D‑printed metals can be and what causes this directionality. For example, we showed that changing the build orientation and the post-3D printing processing of steel parts via heat treatments can noticeably change how it stretches and yields. We saw similar effects in 3D-printed titanium, in particular Ti‑6Al‑4V, which is widely used in the aerospace and biomedical industries.

We’ve also found that even lower‑cost metal 3D printing routes (like material‑extrusion/fused filament fabrication) show clear links between print settings and mechanical performance, useful for small/medium companies exploring affordable metal additive manufacturing.

What are some common misconceptions of your research area?

3D‑printed metals aren’t ‘just like’ traditional (wrought) metals. The layer‑by‑layer process creates a directional ‘grain’, so properties change with build direction, clearly shown in our work on steel and titanium. Process signatures matter. Printing can leave tiny pores (lack‑of‑fusion or keyhole) and locked‑in residual stresses; tuning scan strategy and energy helps, but these features still drive plasticity and fatigue if not managed.

An interesting debate I have with colleagues working in material science is that 3D-printed material may appear as having uniform features in the microscale, but the higher scale defects caused by the melting-solidification and re-melting can lead to a quite non-homogeneous part with differing mechanical properties at different loading directions (mechanical anisotropy).

Post‑processing can close the loop. Ageing/stress‑relief and especially hot isostatic pressing (HIP) homogenise the microstructure and seal pores, boosting ductility and fatigue, though outcomes depend on the as‑built quality and the budget available. A key target for the manufacturing industry is to make 3D printing not only accurate and consistent but also affordable, and we see that there is more work that has to be done there.

What has been the most significant development in your field since you started your academic career?

The big shift is the coming‑together of accessible metal 3D‑printing equipment with advanced, physics‑based modelling.

At UL, a milestone was obtaining a GE Concept Laser Mlab Cusing R metal 3D printer through a GE Additive award. Unlike other institutions in Ireland, our 3D printer is hosted within an industrial environment, through a collaborative agreement with our partner, Croom Medical. Our students and researchers can test ideas under realistic conditions, while both UL and Croom Medical leverage the advantages of this strategic partnership.

Can you tell me a bit about the Metal Plasticity and Additive Manufacturing Group at UL?

Our research group leads the metal additive manufacturing research activity in UL.

Our work is built around two main strands: metal plasticity modelling, where we turn lab data into reliable models of how metals actually deform; and metal additive manufacturing, where we study and improve metals such as titanium and steel, translating the results into practical build and heat‑treatment guidelines. Current projects and student work span physics‑informed yield prediction for steel 316L, laser powder bed fusion (the most widely used additive manufacturing method for metals) process optimisation, and corrosion-cyclic plasticity topics for aerospace‑grade alloys.

An interesting recent work involved showing that, by carefully retuning laser power, scan speed and hatch spacing, we can shift from the usual thin‑layer settings to much thicker layers in laser powder bed fusion of aerospace‑grade titanium, while keeping the process stable and parts dense. Led by one of our doctoral researchers who also works with Croom Medical, the study showed that those thicker‑layer builds delivered strength and ductility on a par with conventional settings, indicating that productivity can rise without an automatic hit to material performance.

Most importantly, after standard vacuum heat treatment and hot‑isostatic pressing, the parts satisfied the relevant industry standards, pointing to a practical path to higher throughput that still fits certification expectations.

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