3D nanoprinting technology can convert ceramics in high-performance systems, from disease detection to space travel

The same ingredients you drink coffee in the morning can change the way scientists detect disease, purify water, and insulate the space shuttle thanks to a whole new approach to ceramic manufacturing.

3D-AJP, published in Advanced Science, is an aerosol jet 3D nanoprinting technology that produces extremely complex ceramic structures that are only 10 micrometers (part of the width of human hair), almost invisible to the naked eye. It enables. These 3D structures consist of microscale features such as columns, helixes and lattices that allow for controlled porosity, ultimately allowing advances in ceramic applications.

“It is impossible to machine ceramic structures as small and accurate using traditional manufacturing methods,” explained Rahul Panat, a professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and a leading author of the study. I did. “They’ll crush them.”

Ceramics are considered key to emerging engineering systems due to their wear resistance, thermal stability, thermal insulation, high rigidity and biocompatibility. Existing 3D printing technology has opened the door for ceramic manufacturing, but it removes additives from the ink needed to support the material during printing, resulting in severe shrinkage and defects during post-printing processing. is often observed. Shrinkage ranges from 15-43%, making it difficult for producers to set printing parameters to output the ideal portion.

3D-AJP does not depend on additives in the ink and therefore only sees a shrinkage rate of 2-6%, so the manufacturer can be sure that the required structure is the one being printed. A detailed manufacturing possibility study to identify the CAD programs needed to create the final shape.

Additionally, the team, including Postdoc Dr. Chunshan Hu, demonstrated the unique ability of 3D-AJP to print two ceramic materials into one structure. This enables advanced applications.

“These structures can be used to detect breast cancer markers, sepsis and other biomolecules in just 20 seconds,” Panat said.

The application is an extension of past research in which Panat’s group developed metal biosensors to detect Covid-19 in just 10 seconds, but it can manufacture ceramic sensors almost five times faster than metals. So it’s advantageous.

Panat also cites the benefits of water purification and thermal insulation of this technology.

“In the presence of UV rays and zinc oxide, chemicals can be decomposed, creating a 3D structure with a high surface area can increase the speed and effectiveness of water purification four times,” he said. I said that. “In addition, the ability to control the porosity of these structures allows us to control and adjust the thermal conductivity of structures, such as insulators, used in space shuttles.”