Using Multi-Material 3D Printing to Strengthen Biocomposites with Superhydrophobic Plating

This project will focus on reinforcing biocomposite materials with a superhydrophobic plating to help improve the mechanical properties and industrial feasibility. Biocomposites are currently being widely researched because of their numerous advantages over materials traditionally used in manufacturing such as being easily recyclable, being made from materials which are found abundantly in nature, and having low environmental impact. Although there are advantages to using these materials over the more traditional ones, there are still a number of issues that need to be addressed before they can be widely used, with one of the largest ones being their tendency for moisture uptake due to the hydrophilic nature of biomaterials and additives. Absorbing moisture causes biocomposites to deform and loose mechanical strength, meaning this problem is important to address for biocomposites to be integrated into industry. This project looks to use an innovative multimaterial 3D printing approach to add a superhydrophobic layer directly onto the biocomposite surface to decrease moisture uptake and improve mehchanical properties. This project will help bolster both institutions involved by resulting in research that is novel and can be published in high impact journals.

Faculty Supervisor:

Hani Naguib

Student:

Partner:

École Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et d’Aérotechnique

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Advanced Manufacturing; Sustainability & the Environment; Biomanufacturing

University:

University of Toronto

Program: