Rayne Research Group
Additive Manufacturing and Metamaterials
Thrust 1: Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing technologies) Processing Technologies for 3D structures and electronics
We develop the next generation of additive manufacturing techniques capable of processing combinations of structural, electronic and functional materials. While AM Techniques have received rapid growth in the past decades. It current faces challenges in scalability over multiple feature size lengthscales, speed as well as the ability to simutaneously processing several classes of materials (polymer, electronic, functional and ferroelectric materials) .
Here we actively pursue several areas in additive manufacturing science and technology with a focus on end-to-end products:
1) Additive manufacturing techniques of multi-scale architectures. We develop additive manufacturing techniques capable of assembling microscale features overall large areas (from micro-meter to meter level); novel processes that introduce mesoscale control of features over 3D topology: e.g., 3D alignment of nano-scale inclusions.
2) High-speed multi-material additive manufacturing innovations capable of rapid assembly of electronic, conductive and dielectric materials into 3D electro-mechanical systems
3) Device integration, packaging and deployment.
Charge Programmed Additive Manufacturing for 3D Electronics
Metal- dielectric Antenna
Thrust 2: Computational and Artificial Intelligence Design for Metamaterials
Most commonly, material properties (such as density, strength, toughness, stiffness, thermal, piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity) are highly coupled in natural and man-made materials. The aim of this research is to capitalize the unique benefits design of artificial 3D architectures spanning multiple hierarchical levels to create new materials that possess designed behaviors and properties. This area of research exploits the intersection of artificial intelligent design, mechanics, and computations and machine learning to design new materials and devices.
Graph Neural Network Design of Metamaterials
Thrust 3: Electronic and Multi-functional Materials for Robotics, Sensors and Energy Storage Devices (piezoelectric, dielectric and conductive materials)
With an unpresented control of topology, high resolution feature sizes, and assembling of multiple active and structural materials into complex architectures, new classes of novel devices, smart materials and robots can be realized with extraordinary functionalities via a fraction of volume and weight compared to products fabricated via existing manufacturing routes.
Efforts will be focused on the following areas:
1) Biodegradable tunable microlattices for accelerated cell growth and wound healing, tissue ablation and ultrasound detection
2) Functionally graded 3D material with biomolecules for biosecurity and countermeasures
3) Micro-actuators and integrated robots with high force and displacement output and large bandwidth.
4) Smart materials for novel air and underwater transducers for integrated self-sensing.
