Multifunctional 3D printing: machine that changes itself

将新型3D打印技术与嵌入式印刷电子技术相结合，是多功能3D结构发展的潜在变革机会。3d打印结构中的导电互连、无源和有源组件、传感器、执行器、电池和天线的打印一直是增材制造领域日益关注的焦点。卡尔加里大学的团队最近开发了一种独特的混合导电油墨，可以在3D打印过程中通过暂停和沉积过程轻松打印。新的混合导电油墨与专有添加剂，具有自愈特性，当暴露在强脉冲光（IPL）或内焦耳加热将进行研究。这种新方法可以改变智能设备的制造，智能设备可以改变自己。系统将感知和适应各种刺激，做出反应，然后在刺激被处理或移除时恢复到原始状态。智能功能材料和设备具有许多优点，包括选择性可调功能，同时充当传感器和执行器的能力，适应环境条件的灵活性，小型化的潜力以及可控制的能力。问题的早期预警将成为可能，智能地应对不可预见情况的适应性反应也将成为可能。对许多产品的增强可以通过更好的控制和改进的准确性，以及在灾难性故障之前进行预防性系统维护，从而产生更好的功能性能。通过探索一种快速而精确的集成3D打印技术，我们可以充分利用3D系统的多功能。这将为各种应用提供新的商业化机会。这项研究将通过提供经济、社会和环境效益使阿尔伯塔省和加拿大受益，并将促进HQP的各种专业和技术技能培训。

Adaptation of novel 3D printing technologies with embedded printed electronics is a potentially transformative opportunity in the development of multifunctional 3D structures. The printing of conductive interconnects, passive and active components, sensors, actuators, batteries and antennas within 3D-printed structures has been a growing focus of the additive manufacturing sector. The University of Calgary team has recently developed a unique hybrid conductive ink that can be easily printed during the 3D printing process by a pause and deposit process. New hybrid conductive inks with proprietary additives that possess self-healing characteristics when exposed to intense pulsed light (IPL) or internal joule heating will be investigated. This new approach can transform the manufacturing of smart devices that can change themselves. The system will sense and adapt to various stimuli, respond, and then revert to its original state when the stimulus is addressed or removed. Smart functional materials and devices have many advantages, including selectively tunable functionalities, their ability to simultaneously act as sensors and actuators, their flexibility to adapt to environmental conditions, their potential for miniaturization, and their ability to be controlled. Early warning of problems will be possible, as will adaptive responses to intelligently address unforeseen circumstances. Enhancements to many products can produce better performance of their functions through better control and improved accuracy and by enabling preventative system maintenance prior to catastrophic failures.By exploring a rapid but precise integrated 3D printing technology, we can fully utilize multifunctional aspects of 3D systems. This would enable new commercialization opportunities for a variety of applications. The research will benefit Alberta and Canada by providing economic, social, and environmental benefits and will facilitate training of HQP with a variety of professional and technical skills.