individual
What campus are you from?
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Matthew Smith, Sophomore
Lead Presenter's Name
Matthew Smith
Faculty Mentor Name
Seetha Raghavan
Abstract
Acoustic levitation offers a containerless environment for studying the ultraviolet (UV) curing of particle composites to support goals for in-space manufacturing. In this study, samples composed of a photopolymer resin mixed with alumina or regolith powders were prepared as slurries. Acoustic levitation was used to suspend the droplets during UV exposure, enabling curing without contact with a container or mold. Optical microscopy studies reveal the effect of the contactless manufacturing process on particle dispersion. The study demonstrates that acoustic levitation shows potential as a contactless environment for investigating the manufacturing of particle composites relevant to in-space and microgravity manufacturing environments.
Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
No
Microscopy investigations assessing the dispersion within particle composites manufactured in an Acoustic levitator
Acoustic levitation offers a containerless environment for studying the ultraviolet (UV) curing of particle composites to support goals for in-space manufacturing. In this study, samples composed of a photopolymer resin mixed with alumina or regolith powders were prepared as slurries. Acoustic levitation was used to suspend the droplets during UV exposure, enabling curing without contact with a container or mold. Optical microscopy studies reveal the effect of the contactless manufacturing process on particle dispersion. The study demonstrates that acoustic levitation shows potential as a contactless environment for investigating the manufacturing of particle composites relevant to in-space and microgravity manufacturing environments.