Electrokinetic Properties of 3D-Printed Conductive Lattice Structures

Philippe Lambin,Mikhail Shuba,Alexander Melnikov

doi:10.3390/app9030541

Philippe Lambin, Mikhail Shuba + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app9030541

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Abstract

Lattice structures with lattice parameters in the mm range are routinely fabricated by additive manufacturing. Combining light weight and mechanical strength, these structures have plenty of potential applications. When composed of conducting elements, a 3D lattice has interesting electrical and electromagnetic properties. In this work, the electrokinetic properties of a conducting lattice are described by mixing the theory of resistor networks and continuous-medium electrodynamics. Due to the length scale provided by the lattice parameter, the effective continuous medium that mimics the electrokinetic response of a resistor lattice is characterized by a non-local Ohm’s law.

Highlights

Metamaterials are artificial structures or assemblies specially designed to reach specific properties that natural materials do not have [1]
Artificial media can be created by different means, among which additive manufacturing offers several advantages for making objects with a complex shape [2,3]
Light 3D lattices of that kind can be produced by additive manufacturing [22,23], including the largely-diffused 3D-printing technology based on polymer materials, such as fused deposition modeling (FDM)

Summary

Introduction

Metamaterials are artificial structures or assemblies specially designed to reach specific properties that natural materials do not have [1]. Different 3D printing technologies include stereolithography [3,9] and extrusion printing method [10] The latter approach has been successfully applied to produce conductive cellular structures [10,11]. Sub-mm spatial resolution can be reached with commercially-available printers At this length scale and above, one may think of myriads of mechanical, acoustical, electrical, etc., applications, including the fabrication of molds for the manufacture of special pieces [4]. Light 3D lattices of that kind can be produced by additive manufacturing [22,23], including the largely-diffused 3D-printing technology based on polymer materials, such as fused deposition modeling (FDM). Due to the length scale provided by the lattice parameter, the effective continuous medium that mimics the electrokinetic response of a resistor lattice is characterized by a non-local

Background

Continuous Medium Approximation

Ohm’s Law

Summary