Manufacturing Commons^™

Self Assembly In Additive Manufacturing: Opportunities And Obstacles, Nathan B. Crane, J. Tuckerman, G. N. Nielson

Faculty Publications

Purpose

Additive manufacturing offers substantial flexibility in shape, but much less flexibility in materials and functionality—particularly at small size scales. A system for automatically incorporating microscale components would enable the fabrication of objects with more functionality. This paper considers the potential of self assembly to serve as an automated programmable integration method. In particular, it addresses the ability of random self assembly processes to successfully assemble objects with high performance despite the possibility of assembly errors.

Methodology

A self-assembled thermoelectric system is taken as a sample system. The performance expectations for these systems are then predicted using modified one-dimensional models …

High Conductivity Solid Oxide Electrolyte Composite-Laminates Utilizing Scandia/Ceria Co-Doped Zirconia Core With Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Outer Skins, Jay Neutzler, Xinyu Huang, Joshua Sightler, Yan Chen, Nina Orlovskaya

Faculty Publications

Increasing the conductivity of electrolytes in lower temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) is of great importance. However, there are several challenges that are to be addressed, which include phase stability of electrolyte’s crystal structure, chemical stability in both oxidizing and reducing environments, and maintaining mechanical integrity and high ionic conductivity over time.

Mechanical Characterization Of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane With Optical Methods, Xinyu Huang, Luis Alva, Jay Neutzler

Faculty Publications

Mechanical properties of polymer electrolyte membrane have important implications in the endurance of many electrochemical energy conversion devices [1]. Mechanical experiments are effective method to reveal discrete damage developed in the membrane by quantifying the change of mechanical strength and toughness. Regular strain measurement methods are overly intrusive to the thin and relatively fragile polymer electrolyte membrane; hence optical-based minimal invasive stress/strain measurement methods are studied.