Advanced novel materials are artificial materials with unique and novel properties. Advanced materials may be manufactured using techniques drawn from nanotechnology or synthetic biology.

Development may include coatings with extreme heat resistance, high-strength body or platform armour, stealth coatings, energy harvesting & storage, superconductivity, advanced sensors & decontamination, and bulk food production fuel and building materials. Research into graphene, other novel 2-D materials, and topological materials is an area of high potential and growing interest.

Additive Manufacturing, which is often used as a synonym for 3-D printing, is the process of creating an almost arbitrary 3D solid object from a digital model through layered addition of materials.

Additive Manufacturing can be used for: rapid prototyping; in situ production & repair of deployed military equipment; and production of precision, custom or unique parts.