NICOP - Multi-material soft-active-composite structures
Abstract
Multi-material soft-active-composite structures:Technical: With the current advances in additive manufacturing techniques, new and complex composite structures with features spanning several scales (from nanometers up to meters) are now feasible. A brand new challenge is to design microstructure geometry and material placement in composite structures that allow precise control over bulk material properties including optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, interfacial, permeability, reactivity, and toxicity. The proposed effort aims to develop novel soft active composites (SACs) using innovative multi-material printing approaches. The main objective is to develop new composite morphologies with features spanning several scales (from microns to meters) that can provide large reversible changes in material and physical properties. The proposed study will develop models, proof-of-concept components, and validation experiments. b. Relevance: The proposed state-of-the-art research directly supports both the Autonomy & Unmanned Systems and the Platform Design and Survivability S&T focus areas. These new composite materials can become key enabling technologies for robotics (soft robots and sensors), and more broadly as components for vehicles (air, land, water) and structures that are exposed to harsh environments and where precise tuning of relevant physical parameters is key to optimize performance (e.g. fluid-structure interactions, permeability, etc.). c. Coordination: Dr. Paul Hess (ONR Code 331) and Dr. Jennifer Wolk (ONR Code 332); they both expressed interest in this effort, but have no funding to support the development. SUTD will provide $124,000 internal matching fund over 3 years to support this effort. d. Desired Outcome: (1) fundamental knowledge associated with development of novel soft active composites using innovative multi-material printing approaches, (2) fundamental knowledge of using advanced additive manufacturing technology to produce variable material structure components that satisfy design requirements, (3) detail report of the development and test results, and (4) potential future collaboration with the US partners to advance state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N629091612171
Entities
People
- Pablo Valdivia Y Alvarado
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy