Self-Assembly Lab

What Self-Assembly Lab does

The Self-Assembly Lab is a research laboratory within MIT's Department of Architecture and Morningside Academy for Design, founded in 2013 by Skylar Tibbits. It designs materials and environments that build and transform themselves, focusing on self-assembly, programmable materials, 4D printing, rapid liquid printing, active textiles, granular jamming, and adaptive systems. The lab operates a portfolio of approximately 40 research projects and core technology platforms including Rapid Liquid Printing (which physically draws 3D objects in gel suspension to produce large-scale industrial parts in minutes), 4D Printing (multi-material shape transformation using water, heat, or light), Liquid Metal Printing (100% recyclable metal objects at meter scale), Active Textiles (programmable perforations responsive to environmental stimuli), and Adaptive Midsole footwear technology (granular convection that personalizes cushioning over ~20,000 strides). Notable applied research includes Growing Islands (wave energy structures that promote coastal sand accumulation, with field deployments in the Maldives generating 30m+ of beach accretion in six months), Haptiknit (pneumatic haptic sleeve transmitting forces beyond 40N at 14.5Hz bandwidth), and 3D Knit BioSuit (smart-sensing spacesuit sleeve prototype).

The lab's business model is fundamentally academic: it is funded through grants, gifts, and sponsored research from commercial, nonprofit, and government partners rather than selling commercial products. Its go-to-market is sales-led collaborative research, where companies such as Adidas, BMW, Steelcase, Google, Autodesk, Stratasys, Ministry of Supply, Emeco, and Native Shoes engage the lab to develop new technologies that are too costly, risky, or unconventional for traditional corporate R&D. Revenue flows through sponsored research agreements and licensing/royalty arrangements, with government partners including DARPA (programmable matter, reconfigurable robotics) and AFFOA (active textiles), and grant support from NSF and National Geographic. The lab has 11-50 core employees supplemented by over 100 researchers and collaborators including PhD candidates, MS students, and visiting researchers, with outputs disseminated through academic publications, museum exhibitions, and conferences rather than traditional commercial channels.

Name

Self-Assembly Lab

Legal name

Self-Assembly Laboratory

Website

https://selfassemblylab.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Self-Assembly Lab is an MIT research laboratory designing self-assembling and programmable materials—including rapid liquid printing, 4D printing, and adaptive textiles—through sponsored research partnerships with commercial, academic, and government clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advanced Materials Research

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC)

Keywords

• Self-assembly research
• Programmable materials
• Rapid liquid printing
• 4D printing
• Adaptive textiles

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Sponsored Research: The lab is generously supported annually by grants, gifts and sponsored research from academic, commercial, nonprofit, and government partners. The lab works with companies through collaborative research arrangements targeting construction, manufacturing, assembly and product performance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Self-Assembly Lab is an MIT research laboratory that develops programmable materials, self-assembling structures, and 4D printing technologies. The lab collaborates with industry partners including Adidas, BMW, Steelcase, Google, and the U.S. Department of Defense to prototype and commercialize novel materials and manufacturing processes across footwear, automotive, furniture, architecture, and defense applications.

Product overview

The Self-Assembly Lab at MIT is a research laboratory that designs materials and environments that build and transform themselves. Rather than a traditional product company, the lab operates a portfolio of research projects, technologies, and collaborative product developments. Key technology platforms include Rapid Liquid Printing (a breakthrough 3D printing method using gel suspension for large-scale industrial materials), 4D Printing (multi-material prints with shape-transformation capabilities), and Programmable Materials (material compositions with dynamic form and function). Major collaborative products include the Adaptive Midsole with Adidas (footwear technology using granular convection), Liquid Printed Pneumatics with BMW (printed inflatable materials), and various textile innovations with partners like Ministry of Supply, Steelcase, and Emeco including Active Textiles, Climate-Active Textiles, 4D Knit Dress, Haptiknit, and No Foam KNIT upholstery. The lab also conducts extensive self-assembly research including Fluid-Assembly Chair, Self-Replicating Spheres, Aerial Assembly, and Logic Matter. Publications include 'Active Matter' and 'Self-Assembly Lab: Experiments in Programming Matter' books, with Skylar Tibbits also authoring 'Things Fall Together: A Guide to the New Materials Revolution.'

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rapid Liquid Printing A large-scale 3D printing technology that draws objects inside a vat of liquid polymer using two industrial robots, producing rubber-like structures that harden in seconds. Developed in collaboration with Steelcase and designer Christophe Guberan for furniture, product, and architectural applications.
• 4D Printing A manufacturing platform that combines 3D printing with programmable materials to produce objects that transform shape, properties, or function in response to environmental stimuli such as water, heat, or movement. Developed in collaboration with Stratasys and Autodesk.
• Adaptive Midsole (STRUNG x 4D) A performance-tuned running shoe midsole developed with Adidas using 4D-printed lattice technology that adapts to an athlete's biomechanical data for cushioning, support, and energy return.
• Liquid Metal Printing A metal additive manufacturing process using molten metal direct ink writing that enables printing of room-scale metallic structures faster and at larger scales than traditional metal 3D printing.
• Programmable Self-Assembling Structures Large-scale architectural and structural systems built from discrete, programmable units that self-organize into predetermined configurations without manual assembly.
• Active Textiles (in partnership with Ministry of Supply) Adaptive knitted garments developed with Ministry of Supply whose fit, ventilation, and structure respond to body heat and movement.
• No Foam Knitting (with Emeco) A sustainable furniture manufacturing technology developed with Emeco that eliminates foam and waste by directly knitting load-bearing, ergonomic chair and furniture structures.
• Growing Islands (with Invena) A coastal protection project developed with Invena that uses self-assembling, growing structures to restore shorelines and defend against erosion and sea-level rise.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rapid Liquid Printing produces large-scale objects in minutes vs. hours/days for traditional 3D printing
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• AdidascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Adaptive Midsole technology using granular convection to create footwear that adapts to individual runners' gait patterns over approximately 20,000 strides. The technology enables mass-produced footwear to deliver personalized performance through self-sorting particle technology.
• SteelcasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Rapid Liquid Printing technology for large-scale customized furniture products. Steelcase presented the breakthrough 3D printing technology enabling creation of industrial-grade products at unprecedented speeds and scales.
• BMWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Liquid Printed Pneumatics - the first printed inflatable material technologies that self-transform, adapt and morph from one state to another. Featured at V&A Museum's 'The Future Starts Here' exhibition.
• Ministry of SupplycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT-born apparel company collaboration on multiple projects including Active Textile Tailoring, Climate-Active Textiles, 4D Knit Dress, Personalized Knit Masks, and Active Patterned Scarves for smart, responsive apparel.
• AutodeskcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for multiple projects including 4D Printing, BioMolecular Self-Assembly, Programmable Materials, and Aerial Assemblies. Collaboration on computational design and simulation tools.
• Native ShoescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Liquid Printed Natives - printing Audrey and Jefferson shoes in liquid rubber. Received Honorable Mention at Fast Co. Innovation by Design Awards 2019.
• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Transformable Meeting Spaces to reimagine interior office environments, and Slip-Form Rock Jamming project for low-cost construction methods.
• EmecocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Liquid Metal Printing and No Foam KNIT project - zero-waste approach to furniture upholstery that eliminates foam, adhesives, assembly, and material waste through advanced knitting techniques.
• StratasyscoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on 4D Printing using Stratasys Connex multi-material printer with shape-transformation capabilities. Key partner in developing programmable smart materials.
• Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Rock Printing project for 3D printed rock installations. Featured at inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial 2015. Combines robotic technology with digital fabrication and building material science.
• Invena (Maldives)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaldives-based organization collaboration on Growing Islands project - using wave energy and submersible structures to promote natural sand accumulation for coastal protection and island rebuilding.
• National GeographicmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch funding and support for Growing Islands project exploring coastal protection through wave energy and natural sand accumulation.
• AFFOA (Advanced Functional Fibers of America)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal nonprofit supporting development of Active Textiles, Climate-Active Textiles, and Active Textile Tailoring technologies through advanced functional fiber research.
• DesigntexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Active Textile for Cooper Hewitt's 'The Senses: Design Beyond Vision' exhibition - programmable textiles with responsive perforations.
• Wood-Skin S.r.l.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Programmable Table - furniture that actively self-transforms from shipping to full-functionality using embedded pre-stressed textile.
• Christophe GuberancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss designer collaboration on multiple liquid printing projects including Rapid Liquid Printing, Active Shoes, Liquid to Air: Pneumatic Objects, and Liquid Printed Products.
• Marcelo CoelhocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Hyperform (winner of Next Idea Award at Ars Electronica 2013) and Liquid Printed Light projects.
• ConverseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious partner listed on Partners & Sponsors page.
• DecathlonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious partner listed on Partners & Sponsors page.
• ArcteryxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious partner listed on Partners & Sponsors page.
• Procter & GambleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious partner listed on Partners & Sponsors page.
• HyundaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious partner listed on Partners & Sponsors page.
• AirbusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious partner listed on Partners & Sponsors page.
• Carbitex LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on Programmable Materials including self-transforming carbon fiber composites.
• Charm Lab, StanfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Haptiknit project - knitted sleeve with integrated pneumatic actuators for programmable haptic display. Supported by NSF grants.
• Architected Intelligent Matter Lab, University of HoustoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Haptiknit project for programmable haptic display technology.
• MIT International Design CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternal MIT research funding and support for multiple projects including Growing Islands, Fluid-Assembly Chair, Aerial Assemblies, and Climate-Active Textiles.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on Growing Islands project for coastal protection using wave energy and sand accumulation.
• Lucy McRaecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Jamming Bodies project exploring pneumatic and jammable architectural skins for future health, fitness and morphable architectures.
• TAIT TowersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on transformable woven research for meeting space applications.
• Atelier OneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on transformable woven research for meeting space applications.
• Iowa State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on Active Patterned Scarves and Active Textile Tailoring projects under AFFOA grant.
• University of MainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on Active Patterned Scarves and Active Textile Tailoring projects under AFFOA grant.
• Hills Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for Active Textiles development under AFFOA grant for advanced fiber materials.
• Center for Bits and Atoms, MITcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch conducted under Center for Bits and Atoms for Programmable Matter including Macrobot and Decibot projects.
• MIT Department of ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternal MIT support for Growing Islands project and multiple other research initiatives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bolt Threads: Biotech materials company producing lab-grown proteins and mycelium-based fibers for fashion and apparel. Comparable to Self-Assembly Lab's Active Textiles and Climate-Active Textiles programs that target performance apparel brands (e.g., Ministry of Supply).
• Materialise: Industrial 3D printing services and software company working on large-scale additive manufacturing for automotive, healthcare and consumer goods. Direct peer in 3D printing applications and end-to-end workflow development.
• MIT Media Lab: Peer MIT research lab with comparable model of cross-disciplinary, industry-funded research, museum exhibitions, and high-profile corporate collaborations. Both labs sit within MIT and operate on sponsored research rather than commercial product sales.
• Carbon (Stratasys Direct Manufacturing): Digital Light Synthesis 3D printing company producing industrial-grade polymer parts at scale, with extensive footwear and automotive partnerships (Adidas, Adidas 4D). Directly comparable to Self-Assembly Lab's Rapid Liquid Printing in target customers and material ambition.
• Spiber: Japanese bio-fabrication company developing Brewed Protein materials for apparel and footwear, including partnerships with Adidas and Goldwin. Directly comparable on programmable/sustainable textile materials, footwear partnerships and apparel-grade manufacturing innovation.
• Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering (Harvard): Harvard's bio-inspired materials and engineering research institute. Direct peer as an academic R&D organization focused on programmable, self-assembling and adaptive materials with industry partnerships.
• Otherlab: Independent R&D company working on advanced materials, soft robotics, and novel manufacturing processes with both government and commercial customers. Comparable operating model and portfolio breadth across programmable materials and adaptive systems.
• Gramazio Kohler Research, ETH Zurich: Academic architecture research group at ETH Zurich focused on robotic fabrication and digital building processes. Peer academic lab, and existing collaborator with Self-Assembly Lab on the Rock Printing project.

Broad incumbents

• Stratasys: Large incumbent 3D printing manufacturer that co-developed 4D Printing with Self-Assembly Lab. Comparable as a broad additive manufacturing player spanning industrial and design applications, with a much larger commercial footprint.
• Autodesk Research (Generative Design / Fusion 360): Autodesk is a long-time Self-Assembly Lab technology partner on 4D Printing and programmable materials. As a broad incumbent in CAD/CAM and generative design software, Autodesk is comparable on the software/informatics side of programmable matter workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SelfAssemblyLab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Self-Assembly Lab