Microfluidic Printing of Interspersed and Interpenetrating Multicomponent Ceramic Architectures

非技术描述：三维(3D)打印提供了以数字方式指定材料的形式和功能的可能性。该项目专注于通过设计和实现用于模型胶体悬浮液(即浓缩液、凝胶和两相混合物)的微流控打印头来图案化3D陶瓷架构，其流动行为可以在微流控核壳和多喷嘴打印头中直接成像。这项研究的进展正在加速3D打印从快速原型到真正制造平台的转变。从这个研究项目中获得的基础知识将使设计师陶瓷的低成本、高通量打印成为可能，这种陶瓷可能会被应用于3D陶瓷复合材料、薄膜和电池电极。此外，通过这项工作，对受限微流控几何形状内浓缩胶体悬浮液的流动和混合的新的科学理解正在出现。技术细节：该项目重点是使用微流控核壳和多喷嘴打印头对分散和穿透图案的浓缩胶体墨水进行3D打印。正在系统地研究油墨流变性、打印头设计和打印行为之间的基本关系。由此产生的3D陶瓷架构可能在包括轻质复合材料、薄膜和电池在内的广泛应用中提供显著的性能优势。该项目整合了多种教育和外联活动，旨在通过公开讲座和实践活动，以及为DIY(DIY-YOY)和Maker社区制作我们的研究的科学视频，来扩大科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)中代表性不足的群体的数量。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers the potential to digitally specify the form and function of materials. This project focuses on patterning 3D ceramic architectures by designing and implementing microfluidic printheads for use with model colloidal suspensions - i.e. concentrated fluids, gels, and biphasic mixtures - whose flow behavior can be directly imaged within microfluidic core-shell and multinozzle printheads. Advances from this research effort are expediting the transformation of 3D printing from rapid prototyping to a true manufacturing platform. The fundamental knowledge gained from this program of research will enable low-cost, high-throughput printing of designer ceramics that may find application as 3D ceramic composites, membranes, and battery electrodes. In addition, new scientific understanding of the flow and mixing of concentrated colloidal suspensions within confined microfluidic geometries is emerging from this effort. TECHNICAL DETAILS: This project focuses on 3D printing of concentrated colloidal inks in interspersed and interpenetrating motifs using microfluidic core-shell and multinozzle printheads. Fundamental relationships between ink rheology, printhead designs, and printing behavior are being systematically investigated. The resulting 3D ceramic architectures may offer significant performance advantages in a broad range of applications, including lightweight composites, membranes, and batteries. The project integrates multiple education and outreach activities aimed at expanding the number of underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through public lectures and hands-on activities as well as by creating scientific videos of our research targeted for the DIY (do-it-yourself) and maker communities.