3D Printing a Future of New Metal Actuators

Markus Chmielus, a professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the University of Pittsburgh, sees a future where industry can easily and affordably 3D print magnetic actuators that can accurately move things like robotic hands, parts grippers, folding solar panels, and perform a host of other tasks without the need of a power supply.
The National Science Foundation shares that vision, backing up the research with a recent $300,000 grant for the Chmielus Lab to bring its work to fruition. Before that happens, though, this round of funding will support Chmielus first-phase research into how 3D binder jet printing magnetically enhanced metals affect the properties of magnetic-shape memory alloys. So far, he says, that research has been promising.