Novel Materials & Manufacturing change matter itself—reshaping reality at the molecular frontier where materials become intelligent, adaptive systems that challenge our fundamental understanding of creation, design, and possibility.
Research Highlights
Summit Essay
Brittle Materials, Strong Polymers
— Sigrid Jørgensen, Founder and Chair of ARCTECH SummitThis wasn't a one-off laboratory demonstration but part of advanced field trials that are slowly entering operational use. It's just one example of how materials science has fundamentally changed what's possible in the Arctic.
The harsh reality is that conventional materials fail here – not occasionally, but predictably. Metals become brittle, concrete cracks, polymers lose flexibility. This environment we live in doesn't just challenge our infrastructure; it breaks it.
Self-healing composites now form the backbone of critical infrastructure across the circumpolar north (it has to be noted, however, that deployment remains limited by high costs and the need for specialized maintenance training).
Lightweight nanocomposites are slowly rolling out from research and development phases, replacing traditional metals in transportation systems and equipment, providing better performance with half the weight.
Surfaces with molecular-scale modifications show promise for reducing ice accumulation without chemicals, adapting strategies from Arctic organisms that naturally resist freezing. However, long-term durability in harsh conditions remains under evaluation, as laboratory performance doesn't always translate to sustained Arctic field operations.
Likewise, these technologies represent a strategic inflection point. Units that leverage advanced materials and distributed manufacturing maintain operational capability where others fail. The ability to repair, adapt, and fabricate in the field now influences Arctic power projection as much as traditional assets.
The environmental implications are equally significant. Materials designed with controlled degradation pathways prevent long-term contamination of sensitive ecosystems. Manufacturing systems built for circularity minimize waste generation and resource consumption.
At ARCTECH 2045, we'll examine how these capabilities are reshaping the strategic landscape. We'll address the geopolitical dimensions of material supply chains and explore how indigenous knowledge is informing contextually appropriate solutions.
The Arctic has always imposed its own rules. Through materials innovation, we've finally learned to play by them.
By Sigrid Jørgensen | Illustrations by Miiko Uusitalo
Sigrid and Miiko travelled together to speak to the different keynote speakers for this story [February 3 2045]
Sigrid and Miiko travelled together to speak to the different keynote speakers for this story [February 3 2045]
Keynote Speaker
The Material Frontier
— Dr. Lena Hanson (Chief Ethicist, Geneva Institute for Algorithmic Governance)- Advanced Arctic-specific materials and on-site manufacturing are creating new forms of "strategic self-sufficiency," reshaping geopolitical calculations and potentially establishing new technological divides between Arctic stakeholders.
- Autonomous manufacturing systems are changing Arctic labor patterns, requiring careful integration of indigenous knowledge and ensuring new technologies create equitable opportunities rather than simply replacing existing livelihoods.
- Despite promising advances in environmentally neutral materials, the Arctic's fragile ecosystems demand robust international standards and verification mechanisms to manage the risks of novel materials and ensure "leave no trace" manufacturing lives up to its promise.
A structural support beam for a research facility in Ny-Ålesund had failed due to permafrost thaw. Rather than waiting weeks for replacement parts to arrive from southern manufacturing centers, technicians simply instructed the station's fabrication system to produce a new component from local materials.
Within 18 hours, the repair was complete using locally processed materials—dramatically reducing supply flights and waste, albeit still requiring specialized energy input. This moment fundamentally challenged my understanding of what's possible in the Arctic
This moment crystallized for me why novel materials and manufacturing technologies are not merely technical achievements but transformative forces reshaping the strategic, social, and environmental dimensions of human activity in the High North.
In my second keynote at ARCTECH45, I will focus on three interconnected themes that demand our urgent attention as these technologies mature and deploy across the circumpolar north.
Strategic Self Sufficiency
First, I'll examine the geopolitics of material innovation and what I call "strategic self-sufficiency." The race to develop extreme cold-resistant alloys identified through quantum simulation is altering international dependencies in profound ways. These are not just improvements—they're fundamentally new materials impossible to create without AI-guided systems that can simulate millions of molecular configurations under Arctic conditions.
Consider how on-site fabrication using local resources has already reduced logistical requirements for several nations' Arctic operations. When a research station can produce structural components* from processed local aggregates using advanced 3D printing systems, or when critical rare earth elements can be recovered from recycled ultra-high-temperature ceramics with great efficiency, the entire calculus of Arctic presence changes.
Some nations are approaching what we might call "material sovereignty"—the ability to maintain operations with minimal external supply chains. This creates opportunities for more sustainable presence but also risks establishing new technological divides between Arctic stakeholders. How we manage access to these capabilities will significantly influence circumpolar relations in the coming decades.
Arctic Labor
The second theme I'll address is the relationship between autonomous manufacturing and the future of Arctic labor. additive manufacturing approaching operational maturity for many Arctic applications (specialized components still present technical challenges) and remote fabrication systems approaching deployment readiness for specialized applications, we face critical questions about workforce impacts across the region.
These systems don't just change how things are made—they transform who makes them and where that production occurs. Traditional skills are being supplemented by new competencies in material programming, digital design, and system maintenance. How do we ensure these transitions create equitable opportunities, particularly for indigenous communities?
We have encouraging examples where indigenous knowledge has been integrated into technological development—Sámi expertise on snow properties informing temporary structure design, Inuit understanding of local materials enhancing insulation systems. These collaborations demonstrate how traditional knowledge and advanced technology can strengthen each other rather than existing in opposition.
The challenge before us is developing manufacturing hubs that are not only technically sophisticated but culturally appropriate and locally beneficial—systems that create meaningful opportunities rather than simply replacing existing livelihoods.
Climate-proof Production
Finally, I'll focus extensively on environmental stewardship and the imperative for what I call "leave no trace manufacturing." The Arctic's fragile ecosystems demand unprecedented care in how we deploy new materials and production capabilities.
Environmentally neutral and regenerative materials show tremendous promise. Fungus-based insulation shows promise for on-site production with potential carbon sequestration benefits, though long-term performance data in Arctic conditions still needs to be tracked. New biodegradable polymers can perform under extreme Arctic conditions yet decompose safely when their useful life ends.
However, we must be candid about the risks. The long-term environmental effects of nanoparticles in Arctic ecosystems remain incompletely understood. The biosecurity implications of synthetic biology applications require careful monitoring and containment protocols. And the very ease of manufacturing in remote locations raises questions about increased human activity in previously undisturbed areas.
We urgently need international standards and verification mechanisms —a challenging goal given the pace of technological development and the complexity of establishing Arctic-wide regulatory frameworks— to ensure that novel materials and on-demand manufacturing truly minimize ecological disruption. The technologies are advancing rapidly; our governance frameworks must keep pace.
TThroughout this conference, you'll hear about remarkable technical achievements—self-healing materials showing promise at extreme temperatures, with field trials demonstrating functionality to -60°C, lightweight composites that revolutionize Arctic mobility, manufacturing systems that transform local resources into precision components.
These innovations represent human creativity and problem-solving at their best.
But they also present new responsibilities that we must embrace with the same creativity and commitment. How we develop and deploy these technologies—with what values, governance structures, and principles—will shape the Arctic's future as profoundly as the technologies themselves.
The materials frontier in the High North isn't just about what we can build. It's about how we choose to build it, for what purpose, and with what consequences for the region and its people. Those choices demand our thoughtful attention and proactive engagement.
I look forward to exploring these critical issues with you throughout ARCTECH 2045.
Thank you.
*Current systems remain limited to relatively simple geometries and require significant energy input
By Dr. Lena Hanson
Lena has kindly provided the accompanying pictures for this article [April 12 2045]
Lena has kindly provided the accompanying pictures for this article [April 12 2045]
Keynote Speaker
From Polar Bear Fur to Fungal Habitats
— By Dr. Magnus Ekholm (Circumpolar Institute for Sustainable Habitation)- The Ursus Therm system translates polar bear fur's natural insulation mechanisms into manufactured hollow carbon tubes embedded in aerogel, showing potential for significantly improved efficiency over conventional materials, with early tests suggesting 40-60% improvements under optimal conditions, all the while preventing moisture damage crucial for Arctic conditions.
- MycoBuild technology enables on-site cultivation of structural materials using indigenous organic inputs, creating a closed-loop system where local resources become infrastructure that eventually biodegrades, dramatically reducing logistical burdens for remote Arctic construction.
- Both technologies have been enhanced through collaboration with Arctic indigenous communities, whose traditional understanding of local materials and environmental adaptation has informed these innovations and their regional applications.
In the stark environment of the High North, innovation often means looking not to our industrial past but to the organisms that have thrived here for millennia. According to Dr. Magnus Ekholm, lead researcher at the Circumpolar Institute for Sustainable Habitation (CISH), the most promising solutions for sustainable Arctic presence are emerging from an unlikely convergence: cutting-edge biotechnology and ancient biological adaptations.
Learning from Life's Arctic Experts
"The Arctic presents environmental challenges that conventional materials simply cannot overcome," explains Dr. Ekholm. "Extreme cold regularly reaching -40°C, dramatic temperature fluctuations, high humidity combined with subzero temperatures, and limited resource availability create conditions where traditional approaches fail catastrophically."
Nature, however, has already solved many of these challenges through millions of years of evolution. Polar bears maintain body heat in the harshest conditions. Arctic fungi decompose organic matter at temperatures where most biological processes halt. These biological solutions offer blueprints for technologies that function with the Arctic environment rather than against it.
When Dr. Ekholm and his team at CISH examined polar bear fur at the microscopic level, they discovered a thermal regulation system of remarkable sophistication. Each seemingly white hair is actually transparent and hollow, with an internal structure that traps heat while allowing moisture to escape.
"What makes polar bear fur so extraordinary isn't just its insulation properties," Dr. Ekholm told us during a recent interview at his laboratory in Tromsø. "It's how it manages moisture. In Arctic environments, trapped moisture freezes and destroys conventional insulation. The bear's fur system prevents this entirely."
The Ursus Therm system translates these biological principles into manufactured materials. Using advanced fabrication techniques, CISH researchers have created microscopic hollow carbon tubes with similar properties to bear fur*. These tubes are embedded in a specialized aerogel matrix, creating composite panels with thermal efficiency approximately 60% higher than conventional insulation at similar weights.
Small-scale field trials at the Cambridge Bay research station have shown promising initial results, though long-term performance data remains limited. Structures insulated with Ursus Therm panels require significantly less energy for heating—crucial for remote locations with limited power generation capacity. The material's moisture management properties have proven equally valuable, preventing the condensation and ice buildup that typically degrade insulation performance in Arctic environments.
"We're not just creating slightly better insulation," notes Dr. Ekholm. "We're developing materials specifically engineered for Arctic conditions, based on solutions that already work in this environment."
MycoBuild
Perhaps even more revolutionary is the MycoBuild project, which leverages the remarkable properties of fungal organisms to create structural materials from locally available resources.
Mycelium—the root structure of fungi—naturally binds together organic materials to form complex networks. When carefully controlled, this process can create materials with significant structural strength, excellent insulation properties, and complete biodegradability at end of life.
The MycoBuild system consists of portable bioreactors that cultivate specialized fungal strains using local organic inputs. These might include processed tundra vegetation, food waste from research stations, or other biological materials available in Arctic environments.
"What's revolutionary about MycoBuild isn't just growing materials on-site," explains Dr. Ekholm. "It's creating a closed-loop system where local resources become infrastructure that eventually returns to the environment without harm."
The process begins with automated collection and processing of organic materials, which are then introduced to fungal cultures in controlled bioreactors. Over a period of weeks to months in Arctic conditions (where cold temperatures significantly slow biological processes), the fungus grows throughout the organic matter, binding it together into a solid material. This living composite is then heated to halt growth and create a stable building material.
"When you can grow your building materials on-site rather than shipping them thousands of kilometers, you're not just improving efficiency—you're enabling entirely new operational concepts."
For structural applications, the mycelium components are combined with other locally derived materials—ice composite in winter conditions or geopolymers created from processed soil in summer. The resulting elements can be used for temporary research structures, equipment shelters, or habitat modules.
Robotic assembly systems, currently in prototype testing, allow these components to be formed into complete structures with minimal human exposure to harsh conditions. The entire process dramatically reduces the logistical requirements for Arctic construction—a critical advantage in locations where every transported kilogram represents significant cost and environmental impact.
Hommage
Both the Ursus Therm and MycoBuild projects have benefited from close collaboration with Arctic indigenous communities, whose traditional knowledge includes sophisticated understanding of local materials and environmental conditions.
"Western science is just beginning to understand principles that indigenous Arctic peoples have applied for generations," notes Dr. Ekholm. "Traditional techniques for managing moisture in dwellings, utilizing local materials, and designing with seasonal changes in mind have directly informed these technologies."
Indigenous input has been particularly valuable in developing MycoBuild applications suited to specific Arctic regions. Different growing conditions, available organic inputs, and construction requirements across the circumpolar north demand regionally adapted approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
The Ursus Therm technology is currently still under development, with demonstration systems operating in relevant environments and initial commercialization not yet actualized. Production scaling remains a challenge, as the manufacturing process requires specialized equipment and precise control. Dr. Ekholm anticipates initial commercial availability for specialized Arctic applications within 7-10 years, pending successful scaling of manufacturing processes.
MycoBuild remains at a lower research stage with significant engineering challenges remaining in Arctic-specific cultivation and quality control systems. Field tests conducted near Longyearbyen, Svalbard, have successfully demonstrated the cultivation process in Arctic conditions, but full-scale structural applications require further refinement. The technology's commercialization timeline is estimated at 7-8 years for initial applications.
Strategic Implications
For Arctic stakeholders, these technologies represent significant opportunities to reduce logistical burdens and increase operational sustainability. Military operators could potentially deploy forward bases with dramatically reduced supply requirements. Research stations could expand capabilities without proportional increases in transportation needs. Commercial facilities could operate with smaller environmental footprints and lower operational costs.
"The implications go beyond technical performance," notes Dr. Ekholm. "These approaches fundamentally change what's possible in terms of human presence in the Arctic. When you can grow your building materials on-site rather than shipping them thousands of kilometers, you're not just improving efficiency—you're enabling entirely new operational concepts."
As climate change continues to transform the Arctic environment, technologies that adapt to local conditions rather than imposing external solutions become increasingly valuable. The bio-inspired and regenerative approaches pioneered by CISH represent not just incremental improvements but potentially transformative tools for sustainable human activity in the rapidly changing High North.
The future of Arctic construction might not be found in materials shipped from southern factories, but in sophisticated technologies that harness the biological principles already at work in one of Earth's most challenging environments.
*Scaling this precision manufacturing for commercial applications remains challenging and expensive
By Dr. Magnus Ekholm
Dr. Magnus Ekholm is the current Lead Scientist of CISH [March 12 2045]
Dr. Magnus Ekholm is the current Lead Scientist of CISH [March 12 2045]