In line with Oklahoma State College, a analysis venture out of the Faculty of Engineering, Structure, and Know-how is investigating the complexities of warmth and mass switch through the ignition and combustion of biopolymer nanocomposites in 3D printing. Dr. Ryan Shen, assistant professor for Hearth Safety and Security Engineering Know-how, goals to make these supplies safer and extra sustainable.
Shen’s analysis has three essential aims: understanding how 3D printed objects with completely different constructions burn, creating higher supplies for 3D printing, and bettering fireplace security in real-world situations.
In 3D printing, objects are constructed layer by layer leading to tiny gaps and patterns inside the object – affecting how warmth and fireplace transfer by the fabric. Shen and his workforce are learning these structural variations to see what impression they’ve on how shortly the supplies catch fireplace and burn, particularly compared to historically manufactured objects.
“We’re engaged on creating particular plastic supplies (known as nanocomposites) for 3D printing which can be much less more likely to catch fireplace and burn intensively,” mentioned Shen. “To do that, we’ll combine very tiny particles with the plastic utilized in 3D printing to make it safer and extra sturdy.”
Shen notes that they may check the brand new supplies beneath managed fireplace circumstances to see how they behave when uncovered to warmth. The findings will information them in making 3D printed merchandise safer for on a regular basis use.
For instance, within the automotive business, 3D printing is used to fabricate custom-made, light-weight parts. These parts can pose a severe fireplace danger within the occasion of an engine fireplace, electrical fault, or thermal stress. By integrating flame-retardant nanoparticles into biopolymer supplies, Shen’s analysis may create safer 3D printed parts – considerably lowering fireplace hazards and enhancing passenger security whereas minimizing potential harm to automobiles.
Together with Shen’s experience that he gained from his bachelor’s levels in FPSET from OSU, a grasp’s in chemical engineering from OSU, a Ph.D. from Texas A&M College, and his skilled expertise, he additionally has a ardour for the consequences this analysis can have. “My work has at all times been pushed by the assumption that engineering options can have a direct and significant impression on public security and environmental sustainability,” mentioned Shen. “Safer 3D printed supplies can forestall fires, save lives, and cut back environmental and financial losses.”
The potential advantages of this analysis lengthen far past the laboratory. It reinforces Oklahoma State College’s FPST program’s legacy as North America’s oldest fireplace/safety-related program – boosting its popularity in fireplace safety engineering analysis. Moreover, with Oklahoma changing into an rising hub for biopolymer manufacturing, the native business would reap the rewards of getting safer, extra dependable supplies out there for 3D printing expertise.
The findings from this analysis might be instantly built-in into a number of FPSET programs, enriching the curriculum with cutting-edge insights into danger management engineering and industrial hygiene.
“By integrating this analysis into the classroom, college students will achieve sensible information, essential pondering expertise, and publicity to state-of-the-art fireplace security applied sciences, making certain they graduate well-equipped to deal with fashionable fireplace security challenges in each educational {and professional} settings,” mentioned Shen.
