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

EARLY概念探索性研究资助（EAGER）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，通过功能部件中的连续梯度来控制材料性能的空间变化。 这项工作将提供基于研究的证据，为可变属性形式生成提供环境性能标准，如变密度混凝土梁和可变弹性聚合物板。传统上，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组装它们，材料特性的空间变化被实现为物理行为中的离散描绘。计算拓扑设计（CTD）和实体自由成型制造（SFF）的最新进展正在促进具有受控微观和宏观建筑特征的建筑构件的创建。FGRF方法将联合收割机与设计为6轴3D打印机的机械输出工具相结合，以允许计算机控制整体结构内的材料分布。如果成功，该项目将提高机器制造可变特性的能力，并将根据所需的环境输入控制其变化。这种新方法将扩展当前的制造平台，并将是迈向可变特性数字制造的重要第一步。作为第一个FGM建筑技术，该项目有可能导致一系列新的研究。这个跨学科奖项为数字制造、计算机辅助设计、材料科学和机械工程领域做出了贡献。作为一个新颖的研究平台，FGRF方法有可能吸引大量从事数字设计创新和可持续建筑交叉领域的设计师、工程师和科学家。通过广泛的合作，应用新的专业知识，并在麻省理工学院从事新的跨学科的观点，研究人员不仅会发明这些工具，并发现如何使用它们，但导致他们的翻译到设计应用程序，同时评估他们的贡献，在可持续设计建设的一个全新的方法。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。成果将通过同行评审的出版物和会议介绍以及实物装置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.