Yongqiang Li, Yong Chen of Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Southern California, have developed a novel way of topology optimization for truss structures (link). The method relies on determining principle stress lines and forming a truss structure following the main lines. It seems to be a very fast way of optimization, if truss optimization is required. The method and the article does not seem to be related to Additive Manufacturing anymore than any other topology optimization method. Actually solid based topology optimization is more closely related, as most of the topologies can only be produced with Additive Manufacturing methods.
