Maryland-based start-upSynterishas raised $2.7 million towards the development of a novel ceramic 3D printing approach.
Known as Selective Laser Reaction Sintering (SLRS), Synteris’ technology is designed to serve as an alternative means of producing parts from non-oxide ceramics, like carbides, nitrides and borides. Using its newfound funding, awarded in the form of anARPA-E该公司现在旨在在创建一种新形式的电子包装中部署SLR，该包装能够改善EV和飞机的性能。
Selective Laser Reaction Sintering
Operating as one ofEarly Charm Ventures’九个子公司，Synteris的业务围绕其CTO ADAM PETERS开发的技术旋转约翰·霍普金斯（Johns Hopkins）应用物理实验室。Though the firm has made little public about its proprietary process, it’s understood to harness laser-induced reactions between a reactive precursor and gaseous atmosphere to synthesize carbides or nitrides.
Unlike normal ceramic 3D printing, Synteris’ technology is designed to enable the creation of ceramics in-situ, instead of directly laser melting them. According to Peters, 3D printing a precursor before using a chemical reaction to create a final ceramic in this way is beneficial, in that it allows manufacturers to overcome the fragility and high-temperature requirements associated with printing ceramics.
过去，约翰·霍普金斯（John Hopkins）的研究人员部署了Synteris的方法来开发近净形3D打印陶瓷, capable of yielding components with a sub-millimeter level of spatial resolution and viable layer thicknesses.
Since initially gaining R&D funding from theOffice of Naval Research在2016年，彼得斯和他的团队继续展示了SLR与硅和碳化物甲基甲虫等高速陶瓷印刷的能力。2019年，企业家后来申请了该过程的专利，然后在第二年通过Synteris的基础进行商业化。
ARPA-E’s $175M energy initiative
Synteris从美国政府获得的最新赠款已被授予1.75亿美元的一部分Department of Energyprogram, set up to identify disruptive technologies that address the USA’s green energy challenges. The 68 projects selected for开放2021涵盖从海上风到核回收的一切的支持也有望促进美国能源安全和这些地区的工作。
在利用其资金份额的情况下，Synteris打算将其技术部署到3D打印陶瓷包装中，以作为电力电子模块，其中用于将能量从电池传递到电动机。具体而言，该公司计划投资于通过机械测试来展示其陶瓷生存能力的能力，彼得斯说这可能是初创企业要克服的昂贵障碍。
“我们需要的一台机器通常要花50万美元，”彼得斯told Maryland Inno。“这不是一个容易的问题，所以我认为这将打开很多门。如果您可以3D打印独特的几何形状，则可以进行更有效的能源传输，以便获得更好的性能和效率。”
“Being selected for ARPA-E funding is a great testament to the radically different approach we are taking to 3D printing ceramics.”
最终使用SLR，彼得斯补充说，具有促进更大传热的几何形状的3D打印模块，因此可以产生更好的效率和耐用性。Synteris的ARPA-E资金紧随其后的15万美元赠款马里兰州技术发展公司, via a scheme designed to help advance “technologies with significant commercial potential.”
Commercializing ceramic 3D printing
Though ceramic 3D printing is still being fully-optimized for higher-stress use-cases, it has increasingly shown potential as a means of addressing end-use clinical and green energy applications.XJETdelivered its第一个卡梅尔1400m 3D打印机toAzothearlier in 2021, a system featuring itsNanoParticle Jettingmetal and ceramic printing technology, which has previously shown medical part potential.
HRL实验室, an R&D center owned byGeneral MotorsandBoeing，也通过开发一种新颖的方法在这一领域取得了进步3D printing Ceramic Matrix Composites。Using its approach, the firm says it’s possible to create glassy materials with propulsion, energy and chemical processing applications.
At a more experimental level, researchers at theSlovak University of Technologyhave even managed to formulate an accessiblenew ceramic for FFF 3D printing。Unlike many existing entry-level ceramics, the filament doesn’t require the use of adhesives or furnaces, making it cheaper to adopt for desktop 3D printer users.
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Featured image shows one of the spaces in which some of Early Charm’s companies develop products. Photo via Maryland Inno.
