3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Printed Nanocluster-based Composite Could Protect Delicate Aerospace Components
qidi

Printed Nanocluster-based Composite Could Protect Delicate Aerospace Components

November 28, 2022

A team of Stanford University researchers have published details of a new nanoscale 3D printing material.

The paper, published in the journal Science, shows how they added metal nanoclusters into their polymer printing feedstock before printing with the two photon polymerization (TPP) method.

Typically, when printing with TPP methods, organic photoinitiators are used to start the polymerisation process, but these organic photoinitiators often work best with specific polymers. The organic additives generally do not add anything to the functionality of the printed material after polymerization is complete.

However, the researchers found that the metal nanoclusters worked with a variety of polymers (acrylates, epoxies, and proteins), and also contributed to enhancing the mechanical properties of the printed composite material.

The resulting composite structures printed measured smaller than the width of a human hair, as you can see in the printed Stanford University logo in the image below.

Tiny Stanford logo
Tiny Stanford logo. (Image credit: Stanford University)

The researchers printed tiny lattices which were both strong and light, and had energy absorption capabilities that were double that of materials with similar density.

This could pave the way for new means of protecting delicate and valuable components from impact, such as those found in spacecraft hardware.

“There’s a lot of interest right now in designing different types of 3D structures for mechanical performance,” said Wendy Gu, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Stanford.

“What we’ve done on top of that is develop a material that is really good at resisting forces, so it’s not just the 3D structure, but also the material that provides very good protection.”

The clusters of metal atoms were shown to have excellent laser absorption properties, resulting in accelerated chemical reactions. In the case where proteins were added, the team were able to print at a rate of 100 millimeters per second, which is two orders of magnitude faster than what was previously possible with protein printing.

Various lattice structures were printed and the materials properties were tuned in each, with some structures being capable of supporting heavy loads, while some were tailored for high impact resistance.

All of the material samples were shown to have an excellent combination of strength, energy absorption, and recoverability against deformation.

“The lattice structure certainly matters, but what we’re showing here is that if the material it’s made out of is optimized, that’s more important for performance,” said Gu.

“You don’t have to worry about exactly what the 3D structure is if you have the right materials to print with.”

And because the metal nanoclusters worked with a range of polymers, the researchers say it has the potential to print multiple materials in the same structure, offering even greater degrees of tunability.

You can read the full paper, titled “Mechanical nanolattices printed using nanocluster-based photoresists” in the Science journal over at this link.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures

HeyGears demonstrated its Multi-Material Fusion resin 3D printed dentures at LMT LAB DAY Chicago 2025. The technology uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) photopolymerization... read more »

Dental
HeyGears Introduces Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures at Chicago Lab Event

3D Printed Modular Column “Duality of Skin and Core” Featured at Venice Biennale 2025

A 3D printed modular column titled "Duality of Skin and Core" is currently on display at the Venice Biennale 2025 as part of... read more »

Art
3D Printed Modular Column "Duality of Skin and Core" Featured at Venice Biennale 2025

Bentley Unveils EXP 15 Design Concept Featuring 3D Printed Titanium Finishes

Bentley Motors has revealed its EXP 15 concept vehicle at the opening of its new design studio in Crewe. The five-meter concept model... read more »

Automotive
Bentley Unveils EXP 15 Design Concept Featuring 3D Printed Titanium Finishes

COBOD Launches Multifunctional Construction Robot with Shotcrete 3D Printing Capabilities

COBOD International has introduced what it describes as the first commercially available multifunctional construction robot, developed in collaboration with Technische Universität Braunschweig. The... read more »

Construction
COBOD Launches Multifunctional Construction Robot with Shotcrete 3D Printing Capabilities

MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Device for Emergency Diabetes Treatment

MIT researchers have developed an implantable device that can automatically release glucagon when blood sugar levels drop dangerously low in Type 1 diabetes... read more »

Medical
MIT Engineers Develop Implantable Device for Emergency Diabetes Treatment

University of Pennsylvania Researchers Develop Carbon-Capturing Concrete

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created a new type of concrete that captures carbon dioxide while maintaining structural integrity. The material... read more »

Construction

Dutch 3D Printing Startup Novenda Technologies Raises $6.1M for Dental Manufacturing Platform

Dutch startup Novenda Technologies has secured $6.1 million in Series A funding to advance its multi-material 3D printing platform for dental products. The... read more »

Dental

Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Singapore-based startup Unigons has launched a limited collection of 3D-printed Merlion figurines made from recycled plastic bottles. The company produced 60 pieces of... read more »

News
Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing