Journal of Inorganic Materials

• Research Paper • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Robocasting: a Novel Avenue for Engineering Complex 3D Structures

LI Qi1,2, LI Bo1, ZHOU Ji1, LI Long-Tu1, GUI Zhi-Lun1   

  1. 1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Tsinghua University, Beijing
    100084, China; 2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
  • Received:2003-12-22 Revised:2004-04-15 Published:2005-01-20 Online:2005-01-20

Abstract: Robocasting is a directed assembly technique, which involves assembly via a layer-by-layer
deposition of colloidal inks. So it offers a powerful alternative for producing complex 3D structures, including space-filling solids and
structures with high aspect ratio walls or spanning (unsupported) elements. Recent advances of this technique were reviewed with an
emphasis on the rheology theory bases and developments of aqueous colloidal gel-based inks. This approach opens up a novel avenue for
engineering complex 3D structures, which may be relevant for a broad range of technological applications.

Key words: robocasting, colloidal inks, complex 3D structures, review

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