Project Info
Radiation Damage Effects in 3-D Printed Plastics
Jeffrey King | kingjc@mines.edu
There is an increasing interest in the use of additive manufacturing techniques for the in-space production of structures. Many regions of space have much higher radiation fields than on Earth, so physical changes as a result of long-term exposure to ionizing radiation will be much more significant. The project will produce some of the first detailed results on how quickly 3-D printed plastics are damaged by radiation fields, and then apply that to better design of in-space structures.
More Information
“https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Made_In_Space,_Inc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archinaut
https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/4412528“
Grand Engineering Challenge: Engineer the tools of scientific discovery
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Ability to design parts in CAD and produce parts using a Filament Deposition Manufacturing (FDM) printer, varying parameters and settings to modify part properties. Basic shop skills and the ability to design/manufacture aluminum structures using 80/20 extrusion. Conduct basic research beyond the use of Google searches.
Time Commitment
20-40 hours/month
Skills/Techniques Gained
Relationship between material properties and part performance. Mechanical testing techniques. An introduction to ionizing radiation and radiation effects.
Mentoring Plan
Weekly meetings, supplemented by hands-on instructional sessions. Work supervised by a graduate student in my group.