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MAE Seminar Series: Chris Williams
October 13, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Title:
Printing Outside the Box: Realizing Multi-Functional Products with Multi-Modal Additive Manufacturing Process Chains
Abstract:
Additive Manufacturing’s (AM) layer-wise fabrication approach empowers engineers to selectively place (multiple-) materials to realize products that satisfy multiple functions and design objectives. However, to fully realize this potential, AM processes are in need of further advancements in material selection and process capability. To address this need, it is necessary to tailor both the materials for the unique constraints imposed by AM processes, the processes for the unique properties of the materials, and novel post-processing approaches to reach the desired performance.
The aim of this talk is to highlight how multi-functionality can be achieved by expanding our view of AM processing to expand outside of the printer’s box to incorporate post-processing to impart additional functionality to printed parts. Examples covered in this talk include (i) AM of copper foams via binder jetting, (ii) printing of hybrid electronics via photopolymerization of fully-aromatic polyimides, (iii) and autonomous robotic AM of mechatronic systems.
Bio:
Dr. Christopher Williams is the L.S. Randolph Professor and Electro-Mechanical Corporation Senior Faculty Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He leads Virginia Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Team, and is the Director of the Design, Research, and Education for Additive Manufacturing Systems (DREAMS) Laboratory. The lab has published over 230 peer-reviewed articles on topics spanning innovations in additive manufacturing processes and materials, Design for Additive Manufacturing methodologies, and cyber-physical security for AM. Chris has been involved in over $30M of externally funded research. He is a recipient of a National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2013) and the 2012 International Outstanding Young Researcher in Freeform and Additive Manufacturing Award. He is a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors. Dr. Williams holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Georgia) and a B.S. with High Honors in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida).
