3D printing a new blood vessel metamaterial, which can be reconfigured to change its thermal and electromagnetic properties

Introduction: On August 18, 2021, researchers from North Carolina State University (North Carolina State University) developed a newBlood vesselMaterials and were displayed. This material can be reconfigured to change the thermal and electromagnetic properties.Corresponding author of the research paper, North Carolina State University Civil Engineering,architectureAnd Assistant Professor Jason Patrick of the Department of Environmental Engineering said: “We started frombiologyIt draws inspiration from the network of tiny blood vessels found in the body, and integrates this microvascular system into a structural epoxy resin reinforced with glass fibers, which is essentially vascularized glass fibers. “

△Image source: North Carolina State University

Patrick also said: “By pumping different fluids into the vascular system, we can also control multiple properties of composite materials. This reconfigurability has great potential and can be applied to aircraft, buildings, and microprocessors. .”
This metamaterial is made of3D printingTechnology is made so that engineers can create a network of tiny tubes of various shapes and sizes, the microvascular system. This microvascular system can be incorporated into a range of structural composite materials, including glass fiber, carbon fiber, and high-strength materials for body armor.
In the experiment, the researchers injected a room temperature liquid metal alloy of gallium and indium into the vasculature, so that the electromagnetic properties of the metamaterial can be controlled by manipulating the microvascular structure. Specifically, by controlling the direction, spacing, and conductive liquid metal contained in the vascular system, the material is then controlled to filter out specific electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency spectrum. This reconfiguration has the potential of tunable communication and sensing systems (such as radar, Wi-Fi) that can operate in different parts of the spectrum as needed.

Co-author Kurt Schab, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Santa Clara University, said: “Dynamic reconfiguration of electromagnetics is very valuable, especially in applications where size, weight, and power constraints greatly stimulate the use of equipment. These applications can Undertake multiple communication and sensing roles in the system.”

The researchers also circulate water through the same vascular system and prove that they can manipulate the thermal properties of the material. Patrick said: “Manipulating thermal characteristics can help us
car
, Hypersonic aircraft and microprocessors and other equipment to develop more efficient active cooling systems. For example, electric car batteries currently rely on aluminum fins with simple microchannels for cooling. We believe that our metamaterials are equally effective in terms of heat dissipation and can also protect the power supply structure, but the weight is greatly reduced. also,3D printingIt enables us to create more complex and optimized vascular structures. “

The researchers also pointed out that the new metamaterials are very cost-effective using existing composite materials manufacturing processes. Patrick also said: “Fiber-reinforced composite materials have been widely used. We are further developing materials and using3D printingCreate a new class of multifunctional and reconfigurable metamaterials that not only have an expandable structure, but are also relatively inexpensive. “

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3D printing a new blood vessel metamaterial, which can be reconfigured to change its thermal and electromagnetic properties

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