Mission:
Right as suggested by our lab name, Advanced Materials Advanced Manufacturing Lab (AMAML), our research focuses on (I) Advanced Materials and (ii) Advanced Manufacturing.
Develop fundamental knowledge concerning (i) creation of new synthesis (nanoscale), processing (microscale), and manufacturing (macroscale) mechanisms, (ii) innovating tooling engineering design principles, (iii) manufacturing platform building-up, and, (iv) characterizing filler-matrix and device-environment interactions toward fabricating advanced nanocomposite materials and hybrid systems, where their structural features are established through bottom-up or top-down strategies and material properties are capable of matching theoretical predictions.
1D Textile Engineering: The AMAML focuses on both conventional and innovative textile engineering technologies, with a particular emphasis on pioneering fiber-making methods. Within the realm of conventional textile engineering, our expertise spans various techniques, including dry spinning, wet spinning, dry-jet wet spinning, electrospinning, orifice spinning, and extrusion processes. However, our primary interest lies in the precise manipulation of nano/microstructures and microscale compositions within macroscopic systems. We harness these techniques to achieve specific objectives such as enhancing mechanical strength, facilitating thermal dissipation, establishing electrical connectivity, enabling optical programming, and advancing wearable technology applications. Our research explores the intersection of cutting-edge materials science and textile engineering to drive innovation and address multifaceted technological challenges.
2D Coating Technologies: Our research focus revolves around the exploration of two-dimensional thin coatings, encompassing the technologies that empower them and the unique system attributes they offer. These cutting-edge fabrication techniques encompass a diverse range, spanning from spray coating and spin coating to dip coating and Langmuir-Blodgett technology, often complemented by direct writing methods. Within this realm, we delve into various material aspects, including surface tension, material composition distribution, anisotropy, electrical circuit board design, thermal dissipation capabilities, sensitivity, and the intriguing realm of stimuli-responsive behaviors. These dynamic material features find application in a wide array of technologies, such as sensors, actuators, soft robotics, and microelectronics, making our research highly interdisciplinary and impactful.
3D Printing: The AMAML delves into the intersections between traditional micromanufacturing techniques and cutting-edge additive manufacturing processes. Among the conventional manufacturing methods under our exploration are machining, shredding, extruding, pelletizing, and molding. Additionally, our facility houses a variety of 3D printers utilizing different materials and technologies. These include resin-based printers like stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP), filament-based printers like fused deposition modeling (FDM) and direct ink writing (DIW), powder-based printers such as selective laser sintering (SLS), and ink-based printers employing inkjet technology. This diverse range of equipment allows us to push the boundaries of manufacturing innovation and investigate novel approaches to fabricating a wide array of products and components.
Primary applications and relevant utilization targets include the following.
Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics: Enhancing advanced manufacturing within the United States aligns perfectly with the mission of the Advanced Materials Advanced Manufacturing Lab (AMAML). Our research focus on cutting-edge fabrication methods, materials, and innovative technologies is in direct harmony with the broader vision of MANUFACTURING USA. By advancing manufacturing capabilities, we not only contribute to economic growth but also drive forward critical research in areas like sensors, soft robotics, and microelectronics, which have profound implications for numerous industries, including defense, energy, and healthcare. Collaborating with AMAML allows us to be at the forefront of technological leadership and contribute to a sustainable, innovative future. Through our work, we not only aim to strengthen national security but also promote job creation and environmental sustainability. At AMAML, we're dedicated to fostering this ecosystem for advanced manufacturing research and are committed to advancing both our lab's mission and the broader interests of MANUFACTURING USA.
National Defense & Homeland Security: Our research in carbon fiber manufacturing and carbon fiber composite production plays a pivotal role in enhancing national defense and homeland security. Carbon fiber composites are integral in developing lightweight, high-strength materials essential for aerospace and defense applications. These materials enable the construction of advanced aircraft, vehicles, and equipment critical to the armed forces. Additionally, our work in biological and chemical detection systems further strengthens our nation's security infrastructure by providing rapid and accurate threat identification and response capabilities. By driving advancements in these areas, we contribute directly to the safety and effectiveness of our national defense efforts, ensuring that our military and security personnel are equipped with the best tools and technologies available to protect our homeland.
Renewable Energy & Sustainability
Renewable Energy: Our research in battery technology holds paramount importance in advancing the renewable, sustainable, and green energy field. By exploring new electrode materials, developing innovative battery packaging using carbon fiber composites, and pioneering solid electrolyte solutions, we are contributing to the foundation of cleaner and more efficient energy systems. Furthermore, our work on battery manufacturing through cutting-edge 3D printing techniques promises to revolutionize production processes, reducing waste and energy consumption. These advancements not only extend the capabilities of energy storage but also accelerate the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future, where renewable energy sources can be harnessed and stored efficiently, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating the environmental impact of energy generation and consumption.
Sustainability: PI Song and his team leverage their extensive expertise in materials and processing to elucidate manufacturing's pivotal role in advancing the circular economy. Their endeavors encompass a range of innovative initiatives. For instance, they explore the development of novel polymers derived from biodegradable sources as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based materials. Additionally, they harness the design flexibility afforded by additive manufacturing, breaking free from the constraints of conventional fabrication methods. Furthermore, the team champions sustainable manufacturing practices, utilizing compact, resource-efficient machines that disrupt traditional supply chain dependencies. They also delve into pioneering structural design approaches, with a focus on optimizing weight reduction and load-bearing efficiency. Lastly, their work encompasses solid waste recycling within the domain of hybrid manufacturing, where the intricate interplay of physics and chemistry drives transformative solutions. In sum, PI Song and his team are at the forefront of pioneering efforts to reshape manufacturing in alignment with the principles of sustainability and circularity.
Human Health & Regenerative Medicine: Our research into biocompatible and biodegradable polymers represents a significant stride in the intersection of One Health, biomedical engineering, and personalized medicine. By developing innovative polymer materials tailored for applications in pelvic floor fixation and blood vessel reconstruction, we are addressing pressing healthcare challenges. These polymers not only ensure compatibility with the complex biological environment of the human body but also offer the advantage of gradual degradation, eliminating the need for surgical removal. This breakthrough is particularly relevant to One Health as it has the potential to enhance the well-being of both patients and their animal counterparts. Moreover, within the realm of biomedical engineering, our work exemplifies the utilization of cutting-edge materials science to devise patient-specific solutions, contributing to more effective treatments and better clinical outcomes. This convergence of disciplines promises a future where healthcare interventions are increasingly personalized, ensuring optimal patient care across species boundaries.
Modeling and Simulations: Utilizing cutting-edge modeling and simulation techniques such as molecular dynamics and finite element methods is instrumental in unraveling the complexities of material interfacial interactions, polymer chemistry, and nanoparticle synthesis. These computational approaches provide invaluable insights into the behavior of materials at the molecular and atomic scales, enabling us to design and engineer advanced materials with unprecedented precision. Additionally, harnessing the power of data science allows us to monitor and optimize processing consistency and manufacturing precision. Through the data-driven analysis from our collaborators, we can identify patterns, detect anomalies, and fine-tune manufacturing processes in real-time, ensuring the highest quality and reliability of our products. This synergy of computational modeling and data science empowers us to push the boundaries of innovation in materials science and manufacturing, leading to breakthroughs with far-reaching applications in fields such as defense, energy, health, and beyond.
See some news of our research:
see publications on GoogleScholar (below):
