Millikin researchers study 3D-Printing Technology
3D-printing technology is paving the way for the low-cost design and fabrication of items. The technology is growing in many fields of research, including electrochemistry. As this scientific area continues to trend upwards, a pair of Millikin Leighty Scholars are researching how 3D-printing can be used to create electrochemical devices.
Under the guidance of Dr. Kyle Knust, Millikin assistant professor of chemistry, students Lyndsay Chapman, a junior chemistry major from Peoria, Ill., and Adam Peters, a junior chemistry major from Decatur, Ill., have spent the summer learning 3D-printing, understanding the properties and creating their own devices. The project is new to Millikin's scientific research offerings.
"Our long-term goal is to integrate electrodes into our 3D-printed devices for the analysis of harmful chemicals in tap water," Chapman said.
The students experimented with four different 3D-printing software programs, but they came to the conclusion that Autodesk Inventor was the best user-friendly program. The software is a computer-aided design application for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products.
"When it comes to making really detailed electrodes and prototypes, Autodesk Inventor has been our best bet," Chapman said.
"We've really come a long way since we started," Peters said. "It's been interesting that we've gone from developing a cube to developing a device that has spirals. We've gone from creating basic structures to more detailed devices. It's been a good experience."
Dr. Knust noted, "The students have made quite a bit of progress and they're doing something that right now is considered cutting-edge. There are not a lot of people trying to integrate 3D-printing and electrochemistry."
