About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Printed Electronics and Additive Manufacturing of Advanced Functional Materials and Devices—From Processing Concepts to Applications
|
| Presentation Title |
Analysis of Coaxial Direct Ink Writing for Embedded Sensors in Soft Robotic Applications |
| Author(s) |
Derrick A. Banerjee, Lara D. Johnson, Edward M. Sabolsky, Konstantinos A. Sierros |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Derrick A. Banerjee |
| Abstract Scope |
Direct ink writing (DIW) provides for an expansive material library and the ability to print multiple materials with tailored functionalities in a controllable and single-step process. Particularly beneficial is net shape printing under ambient conditions of a wide range of materials normally incompatible with one another. In this work, custom-designed coaxial nozzles were 3D-printed and used to co-extrude conductive ink cores within shells of silicone elastomers for the fabrication of embedded flexible sensors. We demonstrated the ability of coaxial DIW to expand the applicability of DIW, improve substrate compatibility, and simplify traditional layer-by-layer processes. Experimentally validated flow simulations were used to explore the coaxial printing process. Stretchable strain sensors were implemented into soft robotic actuators and evaluated for their electromechanical response to pneumatic actuation. Improved electromechanical performance and stability of the printed conductive inks were achieved through coaxial DIW. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Additive Manufacturing, Polymers, Process Technology |