Objectives
Graphene 3D project proposes highly innovative pathway for the development of optimized, multifunctional graphene-polymer composites and structures with desired properties for specific applications, based on combination of three main approaches: (i) controlled processing and material’s characterization; (ii) robust nanocomposite design; and (iii) modeling/optimization of nanocomposite cellular structures with predefined properties.
Graphene 3D methodology will result in two major outcomes:
Multifunctional nanocomposite material for 3D printing application;
Optimized and experimentally validated, 3D printed nanocomposite cellular structures with tunable electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical properties.
To reach the goal, the proposal will pursue the following main objectives: (1) to develop an effective processing technique for graphene-based polymer nanocomposite; (2) to correlate processing variables with final micro and nanostructure features; (3) to obtain highly improved nanocomposite properties (electrical, electromagnetic, mechanical, thermal); (4) to propose robust design tool for optimizing process-structure-property-performance parameters, resulting in optimized nanocomposite formulation for 3D printing application; (5) to design nanocomposite-based cellular structures with optimum configuration (structure, geometry) and tunable multifunctional characteristics in view of predefined performances; (6) to prove the design concept by fabrication and experimental validation of both nanocomposite material and 3D printed cellular structures that achieve unique properties.
Project research & innovation ideas will bring up the research results from TRL 1-2
to TRL 3-4, with potential for application specified towards high power electronics. Graphene 3D will create a Joint Laboratory on graphene-polymer research for knowledge share in a multidisciplinary international/inter-sectoral consortium having long-term implication.