3D printable carbon and metal nanoparticle and polymer composite materials have already been developed to create conductive traces inside objects. However, even the most conductive materials available have resistivity many times greater than solid metal. Deposition of real metal wires promises negligible resistance interconnections to sensors inside mechanical parts as well as printed traces with sufficient current capacity to drive actuators. Mechanical apparatus to allow metal wires to be laid down will be developed and the contact resistance between metal and existing conductive composites will be studied.
Undergraduate
1. Review existing solutions
2. Design mechanism for metal wire lay down (optionally attach to 3D printer)
3. Study electrical performance of joins between conductive filament and metal wires
None
Mechatronics Design & Build (201.553, Lab)