Neri Oxman

Variable property rapid prototyping

Additive prototyping technologies have become an efficient and common means to deliver geometrically precise functional prototypes in relatively short periods of time. Most such technologies, however, remain limited to producing single-material, constant-property prototypes from a restricted range of materials. Inspired by Nature, where form is characterized by heterogeneous compositions, the paper presents a novel approach to layered manufacturing entitled variable property rapid prototyping. VPRP introduces the ability to dynamically mix, grade and vary the ratios of material properties to produce functional components with continuous gradients, highly optimized to fit their performance with efficient use of materials, reduction of waste and production of highly customizable features with added functionalities. A novel software approach entitled Variable Property Modelling is presented allowing designers to create structural components defined by their desired material behaviour. Research methods are presented and design applications demonstrated. Current technological limitations and future directions are discussed and their implications reviewed.

Better together: engineering and application of microbial symbioses.

Symbioses provide a way to surpass the limitations of individual microbes. Natural communities exemplify this in symbioses like lichens and biofilms that are robust to perturbations, an essential feature in fluctuating environments. Metabolic capabilities also expand in consortia enabling the division of labor across organisms as seen in photosynthetic and methanogenic communities. In engineered consortia, the external environment provides levers of control for microbes repurposed from nature or engineered to interact through synthetic biology. Consortia have successfully been applied to real-world problems including remediation and energy, however there are still fundamental questions to be answered. It is clear that continued study is necessary for the understanding and engineering of microbial systems that are more than the sum of their parts.

Voxel-based fabrication through material property mapping

We present a bitmap printing method and digital workflow using multi-material high resolution Additive Manufacturing (AM). Material composition is defined based on voxel resolution and used to fabricate?a design object?with locally varying material stiffness, aiming to?satisfy the design objective. In this workflow voxel resolution is set by the printers native resolution, eliminating the need for slicing and path planning. Controlling geometry and material property variation at the resolution of the printer provides significantly greater control over structure-property-function relationships. To demonstrate the utility of the bitmap printing approach we apply it to the design of a?customized prosthetic socket. Pressure-sensing elements are concurrently fabricated with the socket, providing possibilities for evaluation of the sockets fit. The level of control demonstrated in this study?cannot be achieved using traditional CAD tools and volume-based AM workflows, implying that new CAD workflows must be developed in order to enable designers to harvest the capabilities of AM. Bitmap printing workflow enables digital fabrication in printers native resolution.Voxel-based design and representation of objects for multi-material printing.Using 3D printed light guides, deformation of materials can be sensed.

Programming reality: from transitive materials to organic user interfaces

Over the past few years, a quiet revolution has been redefining our fundamental computing technologies. Flexible E-Ink, OLED displays, shape-changing materials, parametric design, e-textiles, sensor networks, and intelligent interfaces promise to spawn entirely new user experiences that will redefine our relationship with technology. This workshop invites researchers and practitioners to imagine and debate this future, exploring two converging themes. Transitive Materials focuses on how emerging materials and computationally-driven behaviors can operate in unison blurring the boundaries between form and function, human body and environment, structures and membranes. Organic User Interfaces (OUI) explores future interactive designs and applications as these materials become commonplace.

Digital anisotropy: A variable elasticity rapid prototyping platform

Functional anisotropic material gradients on multiple length scales and locations are omnipresent in natural systems. However, the vast majority of industrially fabricated objects, even those designed to augment, coexist and interact with natural systems, are homogenous or discrete in material composition. This paper presents an exploration into rapid fabrication with material gradients in the form of a variable property printing platform. A digital anisotropy approach and a variable-elasticity fabrication platform demonstrating the approach are presented. Prototype development methods and processes are presented and discussed in the context of its design applications. Current and future technological implications for functionally graded rapid prototyping across micro, meso and macro scales are reviewed and future directions discussed.

Material-based Design Computation An Inquiry into Digital Simulation of Physical Material Properties as Design Generators

The paper demonstrates the association between geometry and material behavior, specifically the elastic properties of resin impregnated latex membranes, by means of homogenizing protocols which translate physical properties into geometrical functions. Resin-impregnation patterns are applied to 2-D pre-stretched form-active tension systems to induce 3-D curvature upon release. This method enables form-finding based on material properties, organization and behavior. Some theoretical foundations for material-computation are outlined. A digital tool developed in the Processing (JAVA coded) environment demonstrates the simulation of material behavior and its prediction under specific environmental conditions. Finally, conclusions are drawn from the physical and digital explorations which redefine generative material-based design computation, supporting a synergetic approach to design integrating form, structure, material and environment.

MetaMesh: A hierarchical computational model for design and fabrication of biomimetic armored surfaces

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (Contract No. W911NF-13-D-0001)

DNA Assembly in 3D Printed Fluidics

The process of connecting genetic parts—DNA assembly—is a foundational technology for synthetic biology. Microfluidics present an attractive solution for minimizing use of costly reagents, enabling multiplexed reactions, and automating protocols by integrating multiple protocol steps. However, microfluidics fabrication and operation can be expensive and requires expertise, limiting access to the technology. With advances in commodity digital fabrication tools, it is now possible to directly print fluidic devices and supporting hardware. 3D printed micro- and millifluidic devices are inexpensive, easy to make and quick to produce. We demonstrate Golden Gate DNA assembly in 3D-printed fluidics with reaction volumes as small as 490 nL, channel widths as fine as 220 microns, and per unit part costs ranging from

Multi-scale thermal stability of a hard thermoplastic protein-based material

0.61 to

3D Printed Multimaterial Microfluidic Valve.

5.71. A 3D-printed syringe pump with an accompanying programmable software interface was designed and fabricated to operate the devices. Quick turnaround and inexpensive materials allowed for rapid exploration of device parameters, demonstrating a manufacturing paradigm for designing and fabricating hardware for synthetic biology.