On this episode, Dr. Susan MacKay joins me to discuss her work at the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center and their ongoing research around bio-based materials in additive manufacturing as well as ASCC’s BioHome3D – the first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials.
Her responsibilities include managing operations and R&D programs with a particular focus on Additive Manufacturing programs.
She has 25 years of experience in materials chemistry, product development, and manufacturing at both large corporations and early-stage companies.
Prior to joining UMaine, she was the founder and CEO of Cerahelix, Inc. where she led the commercialization of their ceramic nanofiltration technology based on a patented DNA ceramic nanotechnology coating.
The work with bio-based materials in additive manufacturing continues to present new opportunities as well as challenges, with the increasing diversity of materials being one of the biggest. A larger range of materials specifically optimized for additive manufacturing also increases the number of fields of application for the technology.
We’ll be discussing some of the most recent projects which include 3D-printed formwork for offshore wind components and a home printed of bio-based materials.
The BioHome3D was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hub and Spoke program between the UMaine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The 600-square-foot prototype featured 3D-printed floors, walls, and roof made of wood fibers and bio-resins. This house is fully recyclable and highly insulated with 100% wood insulation and customizable R-values.
Construction waste was nearly eliminated due to the precision of the printing process.
UMaine is a world leader in forest-derived cellulose nanofiber (CNF) technology, including nano- and micro-cellulose reinforced thermoplastic composites through its Advanced Structures and Composites Center.
You can learn more about their work in bio-based additive manufacturing by visiting https://umaine.edu/biomaterials.
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