3D printing, the recreation of specified objects directly from a digital file, has the potential to significantly change the manner in which objects are designed, prototyped and manufactured. One of the largest potential changes is in the ability to use multiple materials, including functional materials, within a single object during the fabrication process; this raises possibilities in manufacturing smart structures that have embedded sensors and actuators to monitor and react to their environment.
This project will look at the use of multi-material printing as a means to generate such structures, and how their performance is influenced by the printing parameters used. Particular focus will be given to investigating the embedding of conductive traces within a structural part to enable transmission of electronic signals through the part and developing methodologies to embed prefabricated electronic components within such a structure during the fabrication process.
Undergraduate
None
Mechatronics Design & Build (201.553, Lab)