AME - 3D Printing Ultrablack Materials

Materials that efficiently absorb visible light are important for many technologies,
including stray light control in telescopes and avoiding optical detection in surveillance
technologies. One effective strategy for absorbing light is to create surfaces with
microstructures that prevent light from escaping (similar to how a cave looks black when
you look at it). In this project, we would like to pursue the use of 3D printing to create
molds from which we can create flexible, ultrablack materials. The primary
responsibilities on this project will be: 1) to design 3D mold structures with computer
aided design, 2) fabricate the mold structures with different 3D printing technologies, 3)
use the molds to cast flexible, ultrablack materials, and 4) work with graduate students
to characterize the optical performance.
 
 
Name of research group, project, or lab
Rosenberger Group
Why join this research group or lab?

Our lab characterizes and manipulates materials at the micro- and nano-scales to understand and engineer material properties. In this particular project, we are using microstructure to control light absorption.

Logistics Information:
Project categories
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering
Student ranks applicable
First Year
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications

We are looking for creative people who also have attention to detail. Creativity is important for coming up with new concepts to be tested. Attention to detail is important in all research, but particularly when working with manufacturing material with small geometries.

Hours per week
2 credits / 6-12 hours
3 credits / 12+ hours
Compensation
Research for Credit
Number of openings
3
Techniques learned

You will learn how to use a stereolithography based 3D printer and how to cast PDMS on complex mold geometries. Also, you will learn how to use microscopy and photography to characterize sample geometry and qualitatively assess reflectance.

Project start
ASAP
Contact Information:
Mentors
mrosenb2@nd.edu
Assistant Professor
ahoffma8@nd.edu
Professor
ekinzel@nd.edu
Associate Professor
Name of project director or principal investigator
Matthew Rosenberger
Email address of project director or principal investigator
mrosenb2@nd.edu
3 sp. | 7 appl.
Hours per week
2 credits / 6-12 hours (+1)
2 credits / 6-12 hours3 credits / 12+ hours
Project categories
Materials Science & Engineering (+1)
Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringMaterials Science & Engineering