SAMCE EXCHANGE
Awarded Grants - 2024
Impact-Resistant Wood Fibre Composites
Grant beneficiary: Zarah Walsh-Korb Sending research group: Uni Basel, Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Synthetic Systems Hosting research group: ETH Zurich, Institute of Building Materials, Wood Materials Science Group 
Samples of delignified wood fibres before and after functionalisation
EXCHANGE Report
During my exchange, I worked together with Dr. Panzarasa at ETH Zurich (Wood Materials Science Group). We had a very productive time, jumping straight into the lab as soon as I arrived. We began by characterising delignified wood fibres that had been previously prepared under a variety of different conditions, to determine which were most suitable for our desired application, namely, impact resistant wood fibres. Characterisation techniques included SEM, FTIR and TGA. Compared to what we had initially planned, we refrained from functionalising the fibres with amino and thiol groups due to concerns about how unreacted reagents might impact successive protein functionalisation. We instead chose to use branched poly(ethyleneimine) (bPEI), a common amine-rich polyelectrolyte. This change of protocol led to an even more productive solution: simply incubating the fibres with bPEI solution significantly increased the functionalisation density of the fibres compared to what would have been achieved with our original method. The functionalised fibres were then further modified with each element of our protein complex, the resulting two components mixed and the responsive behaviour of the composite tested using rheology. We obtained very interesting results. Although the composites with larger fibres were more mechanically robust, possibly due to entanglement, they do not exhibit dynamic behaviour. However, smaller fibres, which initially produced weaker gels, actually showed indications of the dynamic response we were looking for! Unfortunately the resulting materials were too thick and could not be printed during my stay but we organised a follow-up visit to determine how to address this challenge (primarily by varying the initial reaction time) and move the project forward. During my visit I learned a lot about functionalisation and characterisation of wood fibres and, aside from lab work, I had the opportunity to discuss in detail with Dr. Panzarasa how bioengineering approaches can be combined with cellulosic materials to advance the design of adaptive biocompatible materials. The ground-work for further collaborative projects has already been laid. Furthermore, I was able to attend the Sustainable Materials Seminar Series on two occasions and meet with the speakers. All of these interactions will prove to be hugely beneficial for my future research endeavours. Tungsten-Steel Multimaterial Laser 3D-Printing
Grant beneficiary: Natan Garrivier Sending research group: PSI, Laboratory for Nuclear Materials Hosting research group: inspire AG St. Gallen 
Batches of multi-material steel-tungsten samples
EXCHANGE Report
The EXCHANGE with inspire AG in St. Gallen was all-in-all very productive; the goal of the week was to come up with an experimental plan and conduct laser additive manufacturing (AM) of pure tungsten and tungsten-on-steel samples. These samples are supposed to represent the core components of future magnetic confinement nuclear fusion reactors. At inspire AG, the samples were printed using an Aconity Midi+ industrial Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) system. A parameter study of pure tungsten LPBF was first conducted, and the resulting parts densities were analyzed and compared. The processing parameters leading to the highest density were then used to produce actual multi-material assemblies. Martensitic stainless steel (1.4313, AISI 415) substrates cubes (1 cm^3) were printed using different scanning strategies; then, a thick layer of pure tungsten was deposited on top of them using different processing approaches: most importantly multiple layer-remelting, energy grading, and "high local energy density derivative" scanning. The main scientific interest lies at the interface: How does tungsten binds to a steel substrate, and what are the main action levers to optimize this process? What is the influence of tungsten deposition on the microstructure of the underlying martensitic steel substrate? In total, about 30 exploitable samples were obtained. These samples are now awaiting multimodal ex-situ characterization. In the next months, they will be analyzed and compared using SEM imaging, EBSD, synchrotron transmission X-Ray Diffraction and Fluorescence, neutron transmission imaging and Bragg-Edge imaging for the mapping of residual strain fields at the interface. Mechanical testing - i.e., microhardness and crack propagation testing - is also envisioned. Cross-referencing the results from a wide array of advanced characterization techniques enables a very deep understanding of the metallic laser AM process, and has the potential to have important repercussions on the fundamental understanding of this metallic manufacturing process. Awarded Grants - 2023
3D printing of microbial bio-cement
Grant beneficiary: Karen Andrea Antorveza Paez Sending research group: ETH Zurich, Department of Architecture, Digital Building Technologies (DBT) Hosting research group: EPFL, Geosystems and Natural Resources, Laboratory of Soil Mechanics EXCHANGE Report
The EXCHANGE program provided an opportunity to familiarize oneself with the Laboratory of Soil Mechanics at EPFL, including introductions to the team members and an overview of the lab's research interests. A presentation on bio-cementation further contextualized the focus on microbiologically induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) and the large-scale methods the research group has developed. Following the introduction to the lab and its tools, the investigation focused on exploring the conditions for MICP-based 3D printing paste based on an experimental approach. Dr. Dimitrios Terzis supervised the practical activities, which involved testing different concentrations of key components, such as bacteria solution, granulates, polymer, and calcium chloride. Extrusion with a syringe and mold preparation techniques were employed to assess the paste's suitability for 3D printing. Further development of the initial experiments, such as testing different ratios compositions and mechanical characterization, must be done. The conducted experiments established an initial solid collaboration with the host institution. In the future, we plan to combine their bio-cementation methods with computational design and digital fabrication techniques used for architectural applications. A robotic cell for flexible pick-and-place tasks
Grant beneficiary: Mitra Gholami Sending research group: BFH, Institute for Human-Centered Engineering, cpvrLab Hosting research group: SUPSI, Dalle Molle Institute for AI (IDSIA), Mobile Robotics EXCHANGE Report
The SAMCE Exchange Grant 2023 allowed me to implement a robotic cell for flexible pick-and-place tasks with the support of Alessandro Giusti’s team from SUPSI. Over a productive five days, we conducted successful experiments, revealing the potential of robotic automation in handling delicate glass micro-devices. This endeavor was a collaborative venture, with multiple parties contributing their expertise to achieve the project's goals. FEMTOPrint S.A provided the testing workspace, enabling us to work with actual pieces, and gave access to their specialized camera for precise image acquisition. The task of image processing and data extraction from acquired images was managed by Jamal Saaedi from the IDSIA USI-SUPSI Institute. Additionally, No-Touch Robotics provided the robot gripper. The project was supported by a grant from the Innovation Booster Robotics. A complete demonstrator for a pick-and-place robotic task to delicately manage small glass components was developed in Lugano. The collaboration with Jamal Saaedi and Alessandro Giusti from SUPSI allowed us to rapidly integrate and combine the robotic and the vision systems, but also to learn from each other’s expertise. We effectively utilized the specialized camera to capture precise images of transparent pieces. By applying image processing and programming techniques, we conducted tests to establish efficient and safe task procedures. To enhance the process, we introduced a teaching strategy involving a 6D tracking device. This allowed intuitive trajectory learning based on piece features and workspace requirements. This phase involved multiple tests, adjusting parameters, and addressing challenges. The lessons drawn from this exchange will have a profound impact on my academic and professional journey. The knowledge gained in calibrating and programming robotic systems, as well as invaluable insights into robotics, micro-device handling, and programming, enhances my capacity to design similar automated solutions. Additionally, the exposure to collaborative settings will influence my approach to project management and teamwork strategies. In conclusion, my participation in the SAMCE Exchange Grant 2023 and the work with SUPSI scientists was truly enlightening. The successful implementation of the robotic cell underscores the transformative potential of robotics in manufacturing. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from experts and to apply this newfound insight to my academic pursuits. |
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A joint initiative of SATW, ETH Zürich, EPFL, Empa, PSI and the Strategic Focus Area Advanced Manufacturing
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