Contact
Scott Inwood
Director of Commercialization
Waterloo Commercialization Office
519-888-4567, ext. 43728
sinwood@uwaterloo.ca
uwaterloo.ca/research
By varying the density of a 3D part, many valuable and unique components may be made for a plethora of applications. Building lighter weight components for an automobile or airplane helps reduce their weight and hence increase their fuel efficiency. Complicated catalytic systems may be printed in one piece, with various materials and various densities (porosities) to enable more efficient chemical reactions. Piezoelectric sensors and actuators for which varying density is crucial may be made in one piece resulting in greater and more accurate sensitivity. Replacement biodegradable implants with different porosities at the bone interface end and tendon interface end may be create which will promote improved healing.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a novel additive manufacturing technology to realize the fabrication of complex-shaped parts created using a variety of materials (including metals and ceramics). The porosity of these parts may be varied throughout the entire structure.
Our invention allows us to integrate multiple materials during the fabrication process. The workstations includes several novel sub-systems that produce controlled feature sizes in the range of 100-500µm, allowing for interconnected networks of channels while avoiding loose powder material from being trapped inside larger-sized parts. Active control of process parameters is one of the other important features of the system.
The unique features of this layered fabrication system have opened up new avenues for researchers in the fields of lighter weight parts, unique catalyst design, porous piezoelectric devices, and variable density bone replacement implants.
Newly developed additive manufacturing system
Reference
8810-7349
Inventors
Ehsan Toyserkani
Yaser Shanjani
Mihaela Vlasea
Patent status
Issued U.S. Patent and pending in Canada; PCT application
Stage of development
Fully functioning prototype
Ongoing research collaboration with Mount Sinai Hospital of Toronto
Contact
Scott Inwood
Director of Commercialization
Waterloo Commercialization Office
519-888-4567, ext. 43728
sinwood@uwaterloo.ca
uwaterloo.ca/research
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.