Metallic Gel Enables Room Temperature 3D Printing

​A metallic gel has been developed that allows for the 3D printing of solid objects at room temperature. This breakthrough innovation offers a solution to the limitations faced in the manufacturing industry. The gel's ability to create highly conductive 3D-printed objects opens new avenues for electronic component production.

This metallic gel combines micron-scale copper particles and an indium-gallium alloy, resulting in a gel-like material with a uniform distribution of copper particles. The printed objects retain their shape and become even more solid as they dry at room temperature. With up to 97.5% metal content, it surpasses any other printable material's conductivity, making it ideal for various electronic applications.

According to Michael Dickey, the Camille & Henry Dreyfus Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University: "This gel-like consistency is important, because it means you have a fairly uniform distribution of copper particles throughout the material."

By combining the benefits of 3D printing and high conductivity, the metallic gel represents a significant step forward in additive manufacturing. From creating electronic components to enhancing energy technologies and aerospace systems, this breakthrough material opens up new possibilities for innovation in a wide range of industries.

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