Design , Materials & Manufacturing
Design , Materials & Manufacturing
Focusing on elements of engineering design and advanced manufacturing , DMM spans design methodology , optimization and advanced manufacturing materials processing . The discovery of novel tools and technologies is a primary goal .
Faculty include :
Mehdi Ahmadian Jan Helge BØhn Ronald Kennedy Reza Mirzaeifar Robin Ott Linda Vick Bob West
Chris Williams Rayne Zheng
PRINTING THE UNPRINTABLE
Virginia Tech researchers have created a novel way to 3-D print the type of high-temperature polymer materials commonly used to insulate space craft and satellites from extreme heat and cold , whereas the polyimide could previously only be made in flat , thin sheets . The material , formally known as Kapton , is an aromatic polymer composed of carbons and hydrogens inside benzene rings , which provides great thermal and chemical stability . But because of this molecular structure , the material is notoriously difficult to produce in any other format other than thin sheets . Kapton often is used in the multi-layer insulation that forms the outer wrapping of spacecraft , satellites , and planetary rovers to protect them from extreme heat and cold . It often is mistaken for “ gold foil .” During a year-long process , researchers from the College of Engineering and College of Science were able to synthesize the macromolecules , allowing them to remain stable and maintain their thermal properties for processing in 3-D printing . With this breakthrough , the high-performance polymer now could theoretically be used in any shape , size , or structure . And not just within the aerospace industry . The same material can be found in scores of electronic devices , including cell phones and televisions . “ Conventional processing routes have limited engineers to make only thin films from these materials ,” said Chris Williams , an associate professor with the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering , and leader of the Design , Research , and Education for Additive Manufacturing Systems ( DREAMS ) Laboratory . “ Now that we can 3-D print these materials , we can start designing and printing them into much more complex 3-D shapes , which allows us to take advantage of their excellent properties over a much broader range of applications .” Current materials used in 3-D printing are limited in extreme hot / cold temperatures , not having the high strength and stiffness across