MRI: Development of a Multiscale Additive Manufacturing Instrument with Integrated 3D Printing and Robotic Assembly

在该项目中，将开发Nexus，这是一种新的仪器，能够为1：1000英寸和1英尺之间的复杂系统进行机器人制造。拟议的基础设施将位于路易斯维尔大学的区域NSF国家纳米技术协调基础设施站点，以方便美国研究人员获得独特的机器人组装和增材制造能力。Nexus将为新兴微系统、微型机器人、可穿戴传感器和多材料纳米级系统的快速原型设计提供新颖的硬件和软件。该项目将为未来先进技术原型的物理实现铺平道路，例如用于微米和纳米技术的手持式微型工厂，下一代软机器人和更高性能的太阳能转换系统。使用这种MRI基础设施的工程专业学生将接触到一个强调精密机器人、微机电系统（MEMS）和先进制造技能的教育环境。向毕业生传授这些知识对于在美国保持制造业工作和创业公司是非常宝贵的，因为在利用自主微机器的潜力时，劳动力成本不是一个因素。Nexus将能够在米距离上实现多维100纳米定位精度，用于制造毫米到计算机平板尺寸的集成系统。Nexus的创新定制流程功能将包括：1）用于智能织物、可穿戴传感器和软机器人的纤维织机变电站，2）3D机器人微组装以及用于微型机器人、原位封装微系统和机器人传感器皮肤的气溶胶喷射薄膜沉积能力，3）用于新型多材料等离子体和生物传感器的机器人定位器上的定制超声金属聚合物印刷，和4）用于纳米结构薄膜的光子烧结站。 Nexus的设计将使用内部模拟工具进行，使用设计数据库中的进化搜索方法，以1）降低项目风险，2）保证高产量制造，3）优化系统成本。该设计框架将指导Nexus软件的开发，用于变电站之间的机器人转移运动自动化、智能过程控制和更直观的人机界面。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In this project, the Nexus, a new instrument enabling robotic manufacturing for complex systems spanning dimensional scales between 1:1000 of an inch and 1 foot, will be developed. The proposed infrastructure will be located at University of Louisville's regional NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure site in order to facilitate US researcher access to unique robotic assembly and additive manufacturing capabilities. The Nexus will contribute novel hardware and software for rapid prototyping of emerging microsystems, microrobots, wearable sensors, and multimaterial nanoscale systems. This project will pave the way for the physical realization of future advanced technology prototypes, such as hand-held microfactories for micro and nano technology, the next generation soft robots, and higher performance solar energy conversion systems. Engineering students using this MRI infrastructure will be exposed to an education environment that emphasizes precision robotics, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and advanced manufacturing skills. Imparting this knowledge to graduates is invaluable in keeping manufacturing jobs and startup companies in the U.S., since labor costs are not a factor when harnessing the potential of autonomous micromachines. The Nexus will be capable of multidimensional 100 nanometer positioning accuracy over meter distances for manufacturing of millimeter to computer tablet-sized integrated systems. Innovative custom process capabilities on the Nexus will include: 1) a fiber loom substation for smart fabrics, wearable sensors and soft robots, 2) 3D robotic microassembly alongside aerosol jetting thin film deposition capability for microrobots, in-situ packaged microsystems, and robot sensor skins, 3) a custom ultrasonic metal-polymer printing on robotic positioners for novel multimaterial plasmonic and bio-sensors, and 4) a photonic sintering station for nanostructured thin films. The design of Nexus will be carried out with in-house simulation tools using evolutionary search methods from design databases, in order to 1) reduce project risks, 2) guarantee high-yield manufacturing, and 3) optimize the system cost. The design framework will guide the development of Nexus software for the automation of robotic transfer motions between substations, intelligent process control, and more intuitive human-machine interfaces.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.