Efficient 3D Printing for Seamless Parts Production.

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have discovered a way to control the distortion that occurs during sintering in 3D printing, which could lead to the world's first illustration of sintering as a mechanism of "4D printing." The team developed a continuum model that accurately predicts distortion and parameters that control it, which could reduce costs and save energy by achieving near-net-shape parts using additive manufacturing without additional processing. The research is expected to open up new research directions in operando microscopy, temperature control, and the development of models that predict shape change for complex shapes.