Our research in the 3D-Bio Manufacturing lab is directed towards understanding and experimenting novel applications for additive manufacturing. This encompasses broad systems in several fields, from manufacturing to Biosystems to tissues and bio-scaffolding.
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Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Fabrication (AM) and Analysis of Properties
Classic SLA uses UV-curable resins, particularly polylactic acid (PLA) for part generation, but recent research has focused on utilizing this technology for the generation of various composite materials. The purpose of this study is to further develop a novel carbon fiber reinforced resin for usage in the field of fiber-reinforced stereolithography additive manufacturing. In this study, methods for reinforcing SLA resins through the introduction of modified carbon fibers within the polymer matrix are discussed, tested, and analyzed. The objective is to generate an easy-to-use resin that delivers accurate repeatable results on any SLA machine. This will be accomplished by testing various CF functionalization techniques and creating a design of experiment to determine the optimum parameters for printing these composites.
Custom-3D Printed bio-mimetic Substratum for Water and Biofuel Applications
Due to their fast growing rates, high lipid contents, regeneration, and wonderful potential for water conservation, algae are a promising source of biofuel and other renewable energy. Cultivation of benthic algal communities, in particular, show promise for these functions, yet control quality and yield is strongly dependent on substrata characteristics that affect algal attachment and growth. Additive manufacturing can allow for the design and control of surface features and provide a platform for developing substrata with customized surface topographies for algal colonization. We are testing the biodiversity of algal species recruitment based on different 3D printed surface designs to uncover the surface topography preferences for algal attachment by reproducing natural surface topographies using additive manufacturing.
Mechanical properties of additively manufactured polymeric lattice structures
The pursuit of stronger yet lighter materials has been one of the primary objectives of engineering-materials development in the 3D-Bio Manufacturing lab during last three years. Such materials are highly desirable in many industries, including aerospace and automotive. To achieve this goal, we, in the 3D-Bio Manufacturing lab, have investigated the properties of architectured, bio-inspired cellular materials such as Gyroid, an infinitely triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) which has several applications in engineering: solar cells, catalytic supports, nanoporous membranes, photonic crystals, and biomimetic materials. Manufactured by additive manufacturing methods, cellular structures have been found to consistently have more desirable specific properties than their bulk material counterparts with superior stiffness to weight ratios.
3D Bioprinting of Bio-Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration Applications
In the 3D-Bio Manufacturing lab, we have been developing 3D bioprinting as an advanced technology to overcome the limitations of conventional methods and to ultimately lead to the production of matrix scaffolds capable of more effectively promoting the regeneration of functional tissue. A common challenge when 3D bioprinting hydrogels is that the printed shapes tend to collapse due to low viscosity. We have been working to develop our new nanocellulose-alginate bioink to be printable by the bioprinters in the 3D-Bio Manufacturing lab to overcome this issue. This newly-developed bioink is viscous enough to keep its shape during printing and has crosslinking abilities allowing it to retain the 3D structure after printing. Our efforts in the 3D-Bio Manufacturing lab demonstrated the potential use of nanocellulose and alginate for 3D bioprinting of scaffolds to support living tissues and organs.
Developing Design Guideline for Additive Manufacturing Processes
In Additive Manufacturing process, dimensional distortion can be result of numbers of factors such as uneven heat dissipation, shrinkage of the material through the fabrication process, residual stresses, among others. The previously cured layers can be curled or warped by newer layers during the solidification process. Distortion and warpage are pervasive among photopolymerization processes, including material jetting and stereolithography processes. Hence, it is essential that an understanding of the circumstances that result in such distortion be developed and disseminated. Another research direction in the 3D-Bio Manufacturing lab was to design a guideline for dimensional distortion on parts fabricated by material jetting processes. Also, to understand which factors affect the distortion and to identify the type and to quantify amount of distortion under various conditions. We, in the 3D-Bio Manufacturing lab, designed experiments to understand the effect of specimen’s aspect ratio, build orientation, part, and layer thickness parameters in material jetting additive manufacturing on part distortion.
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