Tiny algae inspire a new way to make cellular ceramics
Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have developed a new method to simplify the manufacturing of cellular ceramics using a bioinspired surface tension-assisted two-step (STATS) process. Cellular ceramics are highly valued for their durability and reliability and are used in filtration, thermal insulation, and as catalyst supports, among other applications.
The new method was inspired by diatoms, which are a type of algae commonly found in aquatic environments. Diatoms are single-celled organisms known for their distinctive silica frustules (external cell walls).
The STATS approach involves creating cell-based organic lattices through additive manufacturing, then filling these structures with precursor solution. The separation of ingredient synthesis from structure building allows for the creation of complex 3D ceramic architectures with high precision and programmability. Applicable to both structural ceramics and functional ceramics, the method offers several advantages over current 3D printing methods for ceramics, including higher ceramic loading, faster processing speed, and improved precision and feature size.
The researchers demonstrated the versatility of this method by creating cellular ceramics with different cell sizes, geometries, densities, and constituent elements. They also showed its effectiveness in manufacturing piezoelectric ceramics with enhanced properties.
The research, led by Dr Zhengbao Yang, was recently published in Nature Communications with Dr Ying Hong, Dr Shiyuan Liu, and Xiaodan Yang listed as the co-first authors. The work could impact the production of structural and functional cellular ceramics for applications in energy, electronics, and biomedicine. The ability to create programmable and geometrically complex ceramic architectures efficiently may lead to advances in filters, sensors, robotics, battery electrodes, and solar cells, among others.