Additive manufacturing of functional polymer materials
Audrey Laventure
Canada Research Chair in Functional Polymer Materials
Department of Chemistry, Institut Courtois
University of Montreal
Friday, December 1, 2023
12:30 p.m.
In-person: C2-361 (Reading Room)
Abstract: Structure-processing-property relationships investigations contribute to push our understanding of the molecular principles governing materials’ properties, leading to a more rational design and usage of their functionalities. This presentation will cover some of the strategies that we are currently developing to establish and to exploit such relationships to guide the design and processing of 3D printed blended organic polymeric materials. Most of the current structure-property relationships related to these materials are established using thin films, explaining why little is known in the context of 3D printed architectures. Yet, such knowledge is essential to enable the preparation of freeform materials with built-in functionalities. Our research group is currently developing strategies to investigate the structure-processing-property relationships at play upon the additive manufacturing of polymeric materials, more specifically, pi-conjugated polymers. Our efforts in establishing systematic correlations between the printability, print fidelity, and thermal, optical, and electronic properties of thermoplastic blends via rheology and imaging techniques will be presented. Merging self-assembly approaches and advanced fabrication techniques to prepare freeform materials with built-in energy conversion and storage functionalities will be discussed, along with a special focus on the challenges and opportunities involved in shifting from structural to functional considerations in the context of 3D printing of functional materials.