Rapid prototyping of functional demonstrators for integrated ceramic components using microfluidics and electrophoretic deposition

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Dirk G. Kurth; Dr. Friedrich Raether
• Subject Area: Glass, Ceramics and Derived Composites ; Coating and Surface Technology
• Term: from 2012 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 231009993

Integrated ceramic devices with complex geometry can be produced using existing rapid prototyping methods (RPT). Yet, all rapid prototyping methods have significant disadvantages compared to production technologies for serial components (e.g. multilayer technology). So laboratory demonstrators can be produced for new devices but their functional performance cannot be compared with serial components. In the present project this disadvantage will be overcome by a new approach: the combination of microfluidics and electrophoretic forming. Using microfluidics the structuring and the material selection will be achieved, whereas electrophoretic deposition provides the formation of a homogeneous microstructure. The performance of the new method will be demonstrated by production of model samples of different materials. For that, a lab device will be developed and suitable process parameter will be identified. The microstructure formation during electrophoretic deposition will be modeled and optimized by multiscale simulation. Sintering properties of structured model samples will give insight into sintering phenomena during co-firing.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants