Rapid Volumetric Additive Manufacturing in Solid State: A Demonstration to Produce Water-Content-Dependent...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are crucial for creating complex structures.
• Existing AM methods often face limitations in microgravity or harsh environments.
• Solid-state AM offers potential advantages for specialized applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the feasibility of rapid volumetric additive manufacturing in the solid state.
• To introduce a novel application of shape-memory hydrogels in AM.
• To address manufacturing challenges in microgravity and harsh environments.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of a special thermal gel for ultraviolet (UV) crosslinking in the solid state.
• Characterization of the produced hydrogels.
• Investigation of water-content-dependent shape memory effects.

Main Results:

• Successful demonstration of rapid volumetric additive manufacturing in the solid state.
• Characterization of hydrogels revealing water-content-dependent heating/cooling/water-responsive shape memory properties.
• Utilization of the shape memory effect to eliminate process-induced deformation.

Conclusions:

• Solid-state additive manufacturing is a viable technology for specialized environments.
• Shape-memory hydrogels can be effectively integrated into AM processes.
• This technology holds promise for applications in outer space and other demanding conditions.