Overview

The development of FDM continuous fiber-reinforced composites has been driven by research teams across three continents, each bringing unique expertise and perspectives to the field. This page documents the principal research groups actively publishing in this domain, based on authors cited in the comprehensive review by Karimi, Rahmatabadi & Baghani (2024), which analyzed 130 peer-reviewed papers. The field has grown significantly since the foundational work by Matsuzaki et al. (2016) at Tokyo University of Science demonstrating in-nozzle impregnation, with research teams across Asia, Europe, and North America now pursuing diverse approaches to continuous fiber 3D printing.

The research community in FDM composites is characterized by strong international collaboration and complementary expertise. This means that advances in one region often build upon foundational work from another. For example, Asian teams, particularly in Japan and China, have pioneered novel fabrication mechanisms (see FDM Mechanisms), specifically the in-situ impregnation and 3D compaction printing approaches. European researchers have advanced understanding of natural fiber biocomposites (see Fiber Types) and environmental durability, because these align with EU sustainability regulations. North American groups have focused on multifunctional composites and computational modeling. Middle Eastern institutions, particularly in Iran, have contributed comprehensive review work and expanded the field into 4D printing with shape memory materials.

Understanding the research landscape helps identify potential collaborators, track the evolution of different fabrication mechanisms, and recognize which institutions have developed specialized expertise in particular aspects of FDM composite technology. The groups documented here represent the most active contributors to the peer-reviewed literature as of 2024, publishing primarily in journals such as Composites Part A/B, Additive Manufacturing, Polymers, and Materials (see Top Journals).

See also: FDM Mechanisms | Fiber Types | Matrix Materials | Top Journals

Geographic Distribution

Research in FDM continuous fiber composites is globally distributed, with significant activity in Asia (Japan, China, Iran), Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands), and North America (USA, Canada). Each region has developed distinct strengths:

• Asia (Japan, China): Pioneered in-situ impregnation techniques and modified FDM mechanisms. Japanese teams at Tokyo University of Science developed the foundational in-nozzle impregnation approach, while Chinese researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong University advanced interface optimization.
• Middle East (Iran): The University of Tehran group has contributed comprehensive review work and 4D printing research, bridging shape memory polymers with continuous fiber reinforcement.
• Europe (France, Spain, Italy): Strong focus on natural fiber biocomposites, environmental durability, and mechanical characterization. European teams have particularly advanced understanding of moisture effects and impact damage.
• North America (USA, Canada): NASA Langley has explored multifunctional composites with carbon nanotube yarns, while the University of Alberta developed predictive modeling methods for property estimation.

This geographic diversity ensures that the field benefits from multiple perspectives and approaches, with knowledge flowing through international collaborations and conference exchanges.

Source Paper Authors

Active Research Groups (by Citation)

The following research groups have made significant contributions to the field, as evidenced by their citation frequency in the review literature. Groups are organized by geographic region to highlight regional research strengths and facilitate identification of potential collaborators.

Japan

Japanese research teams have been instrumental in developing the fundamental mechanisms for continuous fiber FDM. The collaboration between Tokyo University of Science researchers established the in-nozzle impregnation approach that combines dry fiber and thermoplastic matrix during printing, enabling precise control over fiber placement without the need for prepreg materials.

China

Chinese research institutions have focused on optimizing the fiber-matrix interface and developing modified extrusion heads for improved fiber infiltration. The Xi'an Jiaotong University group achieved remarkable mechanical properties (335 MPa bending strength) through careful control of processing parameters.

France

Spain

Canada

Netherlands / Japan

United States

Italy

Belgium

Commercial Organizations

Commercial development of continuous fiber FDM has been led by a small number of specialized companies that have translated academic research into production-ready systems. These organizations play a crucial role in making continuous fiber 3D printing accessible to industry and in providing standardized materials and equipment for research.

MarkForged has emerged as the dominant commercial player, with many academic studies utilizing their Mark Two dual-extruder platform. Anisoprint has differentiated by using thermosetting resin pre-impregnation, achieving lower void content but sacrificing the reprocessability of thermoplastics.

Collaboration Patterns

The field shows several distinct collaboration patterns that have accelerated research progress:

Research Focus Distribution

Emerging Trends

Several emerging research directions are gaining momentum:

• 4D Printing: The University of Tehran group is bridging shape memory polymers with continuous fiber reinforcement, enabling thermally-activated shape change in printed composites.
• Sustainable Materials: European teams are increasingly focusing on natural fiber biocomposites (flax, hemp) that offer biodegradability while maintaining competitive mechanical properties.
• Multifunctional Composites: NASA's work with carbon nanotube yarns points toward composites with combined structural and electrical functionality.
• Process Simulation: Growing interest in predictive modeling and digital twins to optimize print parameters before physical fabrication.

As the field matures, we expect increased collaboration between academic and commercial partners, with a focus on scaling up from laboratory demonstrations to industrial production.

Key Journals

Publications from these research teams appear primarily in:

• Composites Part A - Applied science and manufacturing
• Composites Part B - Engineering applications
• Additive Manufacturing - AM-focused research
• Polymers (MDPI) - Open access polymer science

See Top Journals for complete journal list with impact metrics.