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Additive manufacturing (AM) and nanotechnology: promises and challenges

Olga Ivanova (Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA)
Christopher Williams (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA)
Thomas Campbell (Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA)

Rapid Prototyping Journal

ISSN: 1355-2546

Article publication date: 26 July 2013

12370

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a review of available published literature in which nanostructures are incorporated into AM printing media as an attempt to improve the properties of the final printed part. The purpose of this article is to summarize the research done to date, to highlight successes in the field, and to identify opportunities that the union of AM and nanotechnology could bring to science and technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Research in which metal, ceramic, and carbon nanomaterials have been incorporated into AM technologies such as stereolithography, laser sintering, fused filament fabrication, and three‐dimensional printing is presented. The results of the addition of nanomaterials into these AM processes are reviewed.

Findings

The addition of nanostructured materials into the printing media for additive manufacturing affects significantly the properties of the final parts. Challenges in the application of nanomaterials to additive manufacturing are nevertheless numerous.

Research limitations/implications

Each of the AM methods described in this review has its own inherent limitations when nanoparticles are applied with the respective printing media. Overcoming these design boundaries may require the development of new instrumentation for successful AM with nanomaterials.

Originality/value

This review shows that there are many opportunities in the marriage of AM and nanotechnology. Promising results have been published in the application of nanomaterials and AM, yet significant work remains to fully harness their inherent potential. This paper serves the purpose to researchers to explore new nanomaterials‐based composites for additive manufacturing.

Keywords

Citation

Ivanova, O., Williams, C. and Campbell, T. (2013), "Additive manufacturing (AM) and nanotechnology: promises and challenges", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 19 No. 5, pp. 353-364. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-12-2011-0127

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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