Tech Belt, a public/private team from Pennsylvania, received a $30 million federal grant from the Department of Defense to develop an Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute.

“Additive manufacturing takes a technology leap from current manufacturing approaches by offering more efficient methods of forming metal and other materials into highly complex shapes and parts,” according to a press release from the state.

"Today's announcement positions Pennsylvania as a leading location for the growth of a $6 billion industry and the potential for significant job creation," said Gov. Tom Corbett.

While the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining in Latrobe, in Western Pennsylvania, will serve as the lead for this advanced manufacturing initiative, Bethlehem's Lehigh University will be among the partners in the effort. Overall, the project's organizers said it will directly engage nearly 9,000 students, teachers and workers.

According to the release, “this emerging manufacturing technology will be applicable to a number of industry sectors, including: aircraft, oil and gas production equipment, robotics, electronics, medical devices, and 'smart; structural materials.”