Papers by Christopher Williams
Rapid Prototyping Journal, 2013
The narrow choice of materials used in Additive Manufacturing (AM) remains a key limitation to mo... more The narrow choice of materials used in Additive Manufacturing (AM) remains a key limitation to more advanced systems. Nanomaterials offer the potential to advance AM materials through modification of their fundamental material properties. In this paper, the authors provide a review of available published literature in which nanostructures are incorporated into AM printing media as an attempt to improve the properties of the final printed part. Specifically, we review the research in which metal, ceramic, and carbon nanomaterials have been incorporated into AM technologies such as stereolithography, laser sintering, fused filament fabrication, and three-dimensional printing. The purpose of this article is to summarize the research done to date, to highlight successes in the field, and to identify opportunities that the union of AM and nanotechnology could bring to science and technology.
ACS applied materials & interfaces, Jan 8, 2018
All-aromatic polyimides have degradation temperatures above 500 °C, excellent mechanical strength... more All-aromatic polyimides have degradation temperatures above 500 °C, excellent mechanical strength, and chemical resistance, and are thus ideal polymers for high-temperature applications. However, their all-aromatic structure impedes additive manufacturing (AM) because of the lack of melt processability and insolubility in organic solvents. Recently, our group demonstrated the design of UV-curable polyamic acids (PAA), the precursor of polyimides, to enable their processing using vat photopolymerization AM. This work leverages our previous synthetic strategy and combines it with the high solution viscosity of nonisolated PAA to yield suitable UV-curable inks for UV-assisted direct ink write (UV-DIW). UV-DIW enabled the design of complex three-dimensional structures comprising of thin features, such as truss structures. Dynamic mechanical analysis of printed and imidized specimens confirmed the thermomechanical properties typical of all-aromatic polyimides, showing a storage modulus a...
Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.), Jan 19, 2017
High-performance, all-aromatic, insoluble, engineering thermoplastic polyimides, such as pyromell... more High-performance, all-aromatic, insoluble, engineering thermoplastic polyimides, such as pyromellitic dianhydride and 4,4'-oxydianiline (PMDA-ODA) (Kapton), exhibit exceptional thermal stability (up to ≈600 °C) and mechanical properties (Young's modulus exceeding 2 GPa). However, their thermal resistance, which is a consequence of the all-aromatic molecular structure, prohibits processing using conventional techniques. Previous reports describe an energy-intensive sintering technique as an alternative technique for processing polyimides with limited resolution and part fidelity. This study demonstrates the unprecedented 3D printing of PMDA-ODA using mask-projection stereolithography, and the preparation of high-resolution 3D structures without sacrificing bulk material properties. Synthesis of a soluble precursor polymer containing photo-crosslinkable acrylate groups enables light-induced, chemical crosslinking for spatial control in the gel state. Postprinting thermal treat...
Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, Aug 20, 2012
The Objet PolyJet 3D Printing process provides the ability to print graded materials featuring bo... more The Objet PolyJet 3D Printing process provides the ability to print graded materials featuring both stiff and elastomeric polymers. This capability allows for a variety of new design possibilities for additive manufacturing such as living hinges, shock absorbing casings, and integrated gaskets. Such design features typically rely upon the ability of traditional elastomers to experience large and repeated strains without permanent deformation or damage. However, voids and other flaws inherent to many Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes can have a significant negative impact on the fatigue life of elastomeric AM materials. In this paper, the authors seek to fill a gap in the literature by characterizing the fatigue life of a direct 3D printed elastomer, and the multi-material interface. Based on the results, the authors offer advice for improving fatigue life of printed elastomeric components.
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Papers by Christopher Williams