Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts by Electrochemical Deposition

该奖项支持有关电化学沉积的气孔形成和局部化的基础研究，以开发一种创新的添加剂工艺，用于制造无热损伤的金属部件。具体地说，研究小组将对电化学沉积过程中的孔隙率形成进行分子动力学模拟，以了解电化学沉积中孔隙率的形成机理，开发基于物理的预测电化学沉积孔隙率的模型并进行实验验证，验证电流密度是电化学沉积孔隙率决定因素的假设，评估使用本地化电化学沉积从计算机辅助设计模型生产功能金属部件的可行性，并建立电化学沉积过程中的工艺参数关系。这项研究有望对各种导电材料的三维打印产生变革作用，从而在生物医学、医疗保健、电子、汽车、和金属加工业，并延伸添加剂制造的边界。研究成果将为电化学沉积金属零件的逐层制造提供知识和理解，并使金属零件的制造能够在不造成热损害的情况下通过添加制造实现。该研究项目采用多学科方法，涉及制造技术、分子动力学模拟、电化学、控制理论和材料科学。这种多学科方法将对辛辛那提大学的工程教育产生积极影响，并扩大未被充分代表的群体对研究的参与。

This award supports fundamental research on porosity formation and localization of electrochemical deposition in order to develop an innovative additive process for manufacturing of metal parts without thermal damage. Specifically, the research team will perform molecular dynamics simulation of porosity formation during electrochemical deposition to understand the mechanism of porosity formation in electrochemical deposition, develop a physics-based predictive model for prediction of porosity in electrochemical deposition and conduct experiments to verify the model, test the hypothesis that current density is the determining factor for porosity in electrochemical deposition, evaluate the feasibility of using localized electrochemical deposition to produce functional metal parts from computer aided design models, and establish the process parametric relationships in electrochemical deposition.This research is expected to have a transformative effect on 3-D printing of a wide variety of conductive materials, result in extensive benefits to biomedical, healthcare, electronic, automotive, and metal working industries, and extend frontiers of additive manufacturing. Research results will provide knowledge and understanding to perform layer-by-layer manufacturing of metal parts by electrochemical deposition and enable producing metal parts by additive manufacturing without thermal damage. This research project features multi-disciplinary approach involving manufacturing technology, molecular dynamics simulation, electrochemistry, control theory, and materials science. This multi-disciplinary approach will positively impact engineering education at University of Cincinnati, and broaden participation of the underrepresented groups in research.