Penny Precision, LLC recently secured a major technological breakthrough with the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 12729129. This patent, titled ‘Direct write additive manufacturing of ionic materials’, introduces a powerful method for the localized deposition of ionic materials. Invented by Ryan Wade Penny, this technology enables the creation of arbitrary geometries for metal halide optics and other applications. Manufacturers can now produce complex ionic structures with the same precision previously reserved for traditional subtractive methods.

Advanced Deposition for Ionic Materials

The innovation focuses on a new direct write liquid phase epitaxy process. This system induces the deposition of ionic materials by mixing at least two fluids of differing compositions. The solubility limit of the ionic material within the mixed solution is lower than what would be predicted from a linear combination of the original fluids. A precision printhead controls this spatial deposition. This setup allows for incredible accuracy during the manufacturing process, making it possible to build specialized optical components from the ground up without relying on standard molding techniques.

Recognition by Swanson Reed

This advancement earned the prestigious title of Patent of the Month for the state of New Hampshire for October 2026, an honor granted by Swanson Reed. The award recognizes the invention for its potential to enhance the high tech manufacturing sector. By offering a scalable and precise method to fabricate complex optical components, Penny Precision, LLC is advancing the field of material science. This recognition highlights the importance of the technology in supporting regional capabilities in advanced manufacturing and modern optics.

Eligibility for the R&D Tax Credit

The practical applications of this patent present strong opportunities for companies to claim the Research and Development Tax Credit in the United States. Applying this direct write technology to produce commercial metal halide optics involves significant technical uncertainty. Engineering teams must conduct iterative testing to optimize fluid compositions, calibrate printhead parameters for new geometries, and scale the deposition process for mass production. Because these activities rely on the principles of physical chemistry and engineering to develop improved manufacturing processes, the associated costs for materials, wages, and contracted research would generally be eligible for the federal R&D tax credit.