This $207,815 Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), funded under the NSF Engineering program (CFDA 47.041), supports a comprehensive research effort by the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to unravel the shear-thinning flow mechanism of multi-phase inks used in the direct ink writing (DIW) additive manufacturing process.
The project aims to establish computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation models to evaluate the rheological properties of these complex multi-phase inks, and develop in-situ sensing techniques for experimental verification. By linking DIW process parameters with ink properties, the research seeks to provide new fundamental knowledge about the fluid dynamics of multi-phase inks for extrusion-based 3D printing. The findings could enable broader adoption of DIW technology and impact other advanced manufacturing applications in fields like electronics, aerospace, and biotechnology. The award period runs from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2026.
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