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Improving the resolution of metal 3D printing by means of acoustophoresis
Metal 3D-printing is limited in minimal feature size. In this project, acoustofluidic is utilized to make a huge step in improving the minimal feature size of laser powder deposition 3D printing.
Laser Powder Deposition (LPD) is one of the most flexible technologies for metal, alloy and composite material 3D printing. However, the resolution is not precise enough to meet all needs of e.g. the watchmaking and med-tech industry. An innovative approach using much smaller particle sizes might lead to an increase in precision. This new approach comprises particle focussing using acoustophoretic forces.
Laser Powder Deposition (LPD) is one of the most flexible technologies for metal, alloy and composite material 3D printing. However, the resolution is not precise enough to meet all needs of e.g. the watchmaking and med-tech industry. An innovative approach using much smaller particle sizes might lead to an increase in precision. This new approach comprises particle focussing using acoustophoretic forces.
Acoustophoresis utilizes ultrasonic standing waves to generate forces that can be used to position particles inside microsystems [1]. In this project, the limit of acoustophoretic particle manipulations for very high concentrations of metal particles in flow conditions are evaluated.
The main goal of this project is to improve the two dimensional focusing of metal particles in an acoustofluidic device. Depending on your skills, the thesis can be adjusted in its focus towards experimental or numerical investigations. Usually it will be a mix of both. You will learn how to build simulation models that can approximate the outcome of the experiments. In the simulation, parameters can be easily adjusted in order to optimize the design of the device.
[1] I. Leibacher, P. Reichert, and J. Dual, “Microfluidic droplet handling by bulk acoustic wave (BAW) acoustophoresis,” Lab Chip, vol. 15, pp. 2896–2905, 2015.
Acoustophoresis utilizes ultrasonic standing waves to generate forces that can be used to position particles inside microsystems [1]. In this project, the limit of acoustophoretic particle manipulations for very high concentrations of metal particles in flow conditions are evaluated. The main goal of this project is to improve the two dimensional focusing of metal particles in an acoustofluidic device. Depending on your skills, the thesis can be adjusted in its focus towards experimental or numerical investigations. Usually it will be a mix of both. You will learn how to build simulation models that can approximate the outcome of the experiments. In the simulation, parameters can be easily adjusted in order to optimize the design of the device.
[1] I. Leibacher, P. Reichert, and J. Dual, “Microfluidic droplet handling by bulk acoustic wave (BAW) acoustophoresis,” Lab Chip, vol. 15, pp. 2896–2905, 2015.
Name: Michael Gerlt
Email: gerlt@imes.mavt.ethz.ch
Group: Prof. Dr. J. Dual
http://www.expdyn.ethz.ch/research.html
Name: Michael Gerlt Email: gerlt@imes.mavt.ethz.ch Group: Prof. Dr. J. Dual http://www.expdyn.ethz.ch/research.html