EAGER: Bio-Beams - Functionally Graded Rapid Design & Fabrication

这一早期探索性研究概念补助金(AGER)的研究目标是创建一个研究驱动的框架，用于开发、集成和评估具有生物启发的形式生成的数字制造技术，以支持可持续建筑。功能梯度快速制造(FGRF)是一种新的设计方法和技术框架，能够通过功能部件中的连续梯度来控制材料性能的空间变化。这项工作将为可变性能形式的产生提供基于研究的证据，这些形式受到环境性能标准的影响，如可变密度混凝土梁和可变弹性聚合物板。材料性能的空间变化传统上是通过制造由不同材料组成的多个部件，并仅在制造过程完成后才组装来实现的，作为物理行为的离散描述。计算拓扑设计(CTD)和实体自由形状制造(SFF)的最新进展推动了具有受控微观和宏观建筑特征的建筑构件的创建。FGRF方法将把新颖的软件环境与设计为6轴3-D打印机的机械输出工具相结合，以允许计算机控制单片结构内的材料分配。如果成功，该项目将提高机器制造各种性能的能力，并能够根据所需的环境输入来控制它们的变化。新方法将扩展现有的制造平台，并将是迈向可变性能数字制造的重要第一步。作为第一项女性生殖器切割构建技术，该项目有可能导致一系列新的研究。这一跨学科奖项在数字制造、计算机辅助设计、材料科学和机械工程领域做出了贡献。作为一个新的研究平台，FGRF方法有可能接触到大量在数字设计创新和可持续建筑的交叉点上工作的设计师、工程师和科学家。通过在麻省理工学院应用新的专业知识和新的跨学科视角的深远合作，研究人员不仅将发明这些工具并发现如何使用它们，而且还将引导它们转化为设计应用，同时评估它们对可持续设计和建筑中全新方法的贡献。从长远来看，这项研究也有望有助于理解可变性能建筑的可持续快速制造的理论和实践。结果将通过同行评议的出版物和会议介绍以及通过实物安装和演示在所有这些社区分发。

The research objective of this EArly concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER)is the creation of a research-driven framework for developing, integrating, and evaluating digital fabrication technologies with biologically inspired form generation to support sustainable construction. Functionally Graded Rapid Fabrication (FGRF) is a novel design approach and technological framework enabling the controlled spatial variation of material properties through continuous gradients in functional components. The work will provide research-based evidence for variable-property form generation informed by environmental performance criteria such as variable-density concrete beams and variable-elasticity polymer panels. Spatial variations of material properties are traditionally achieved as discrete delineations in physical behavior by fabricating multiple parts comprised of different materials, and assembling them only after the fabrication process has been completed. Recent advances in Computational Topology Design (CTD) and Solid Free-Form Fabrication (SFF) are promoting the creation of building components with controlled micro-, and macro-architectural features. The FGRF approach will combine a novel software environment with a mechanical output tool designed as a 6-axes, 3-D printer to allow computer control of material distribution within a monolithic structure. If successful, the project will advance the ability of machines to fabricate with variable properties, and will enable the control of their variation according to the desired environmental input. The new approach will expand current fabrication platforms and will be a significant first step toward variable property digital fabrication. Being the first FGM construction technology, the project has the potential to lead to a line of new research. This interdisciplinary award makes contributions to the fields of digital fabrication, computer-aided design, material science and mechanical engineering. As a novel research platform, the FGRF approach has the potential for reaching a large number of designers, engineers and scientists operating at the intersection of digital design innovation and sustainable construction. Through far-reaching collaborations applying new expertise and engaging novel interdisciplinary perspectives across MIT, the investigator will not only invent these tools and discover how to use them, but lead their translation into design applications while evaluating their contribution to a radically new approach in sustainable design & construction. Long term, this research is also expected to contribute to understanding the theory and practice of sustainable rapid fabrication of variable-property construction. Results will be distributed in all of these communities through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, as well as through physical installations and demonstrations.