The research group led by Wen Liaoyong, a specially appointed researcher at the School of Engineering of Xihu University, has developed a new aluminum based cross scale 3D manufacturing technology. They utilized the hardening effect generated by aluminum during the processing to achieve high-precision manufacturing of various materials for the first time across the entire scale range from nanometer, micrometer to macroscopic. This technology has shown broad application prospects in fields such as flexible electronics, optical anti-counterfeiting, and optoelectronic integration. Recently, relevant research results were published in Nature Materials. After processing deformation, the mechanical strength and hardness of metal materials will increase, which hinders further deformation of the metal. In this study, researchers fed a 10 centimeter square aluminum sheet into a customized machine of the research group and subjected it to at least three "stamping" (embossing) processes. The hardening effect exhibited by aluminum metal during processing ensures that precise structures of various scales are accurately preserved during layer after layer of continuous embossing. After multi-layer imprinting, researchers used anodizing steps to adjust the diameter, depth, and morphology of the first layer of nanostructures. By blending electrolytes of different compositions, they can precisely control the characteristics of nanopores. Researchers have also filled various functional materials such as carbon, semiconductors, metals, and polymers into nanopores to endow anodized aluminum with more functional characteristics, making it not only decorative, but also capable of achieving functions such as photoelectric detection, tactile sensing, and optical anti-counterfeiting. Through the innovative combination of multi-layer embossing and anodizing, aluminum based 3D manufacturing technology can simultaneously customize and finely control multiple "layers" at the nanometer, micrometer, and macroscopic levels, demonstrating extremely high flexibility and precision in the manufacturing of full-scale material structures. Wen Liaoyong stated that aluminum based cross scale 3D manufacturing technology has the ability for highly personalized customization and is very suitable for integration with artificial intelligence (AI). Targeting specific application scenarios and functional requirements, AI should first complete the intelligent design of structures and materials, and then accurately implement it through aluminum based cross scale 3D manufacturing technology, thus bringing the fields of flexible electronics, optical anti-counterfeiting, and optoelectronic integration into a highly intelligent and customized era
Edit：Yao jue Responsible editor：Xie Tunan
Source：China Science Daily
Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email：lwxsd@liaowanghn.com
Sci-Tech
Recommended Reading Change it 
Home
