Computational additive manufacturing integrates digital design, simulation, and control with 3D and 4D printing processes to create structures with precisely programmed geometry, composition, and function. Methods span multimaterial extrusion, vat photopolymerization, volumetric and holographic printing, and bio- and food-printing, often coupled to AI-driven design tools, topology optimization, and process monitoring. A major emphasis is on architected and origami- or textile-inspired mechanical metamaterials, soft robots, and functional devices whose mechanical, optical, electromagnetic, or morphing behavior is encoded at the meso- and microstructural level.
Software
3D printing has come a long way since its invention in 1983 by Chuck Hull, who pioneered stereolithography, a technique that solidifies liquid resin into solid objects using ultraviolet lasers.
Sep 5, 2025
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56
Engineering
Soft tissue deformation during body movement has long posed a challenge to achieving optimal garment fit and comfort, particularly in sportswear and functional medical wear.
Sep 3, 2025
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34
Engineering
Students at ETH Zurich have developed a laser powder bed fusion machine that follows a circular tool path to print round components, which allows the processing of multiple metals at once. The system significantly reduces ...
Sep 3, 2025
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63
Engineering
When Larissa Novelino began her engineering career, she never imagined she'd spend her days folding paper.
Sep 2, 2025
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Robotics
Everyday occurrences like snapping hair clips or clicking retractable pens feature a mechanical phenomenon known as "snap-through." Small insects and plants like the Venus flytrap cleverly use this snap-through effect to ...
Sep 1, 2025
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57
Engineering
Tactile sensors are widely used in robotics, prosthetics, wearable devices, and health care monitoring. These devices detect and convert external stimuli such as pressure and force into electrical signals, facilitating effective ...
Aug 29, 2025
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59
Robotics
The field of robotics has transformed drastically in this century, with a special focus on soft robotics. In this context, origami-inspired deployable structures with compact storage and efficient deployment features have ...
Aug 29, 2025
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38
Engineering
Engineers have long grappled with a fundamental challenge: creating materials that are both strong and tough enough to resist deformation and prevent fractures. These two properties typically exist in opposition, as materials ...
Aug 28, 2025
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35
Robotics
Able to undergo repeated compressions without losing their shape, woven materials could form robots, exoskeletons, car parts, architectural components and more.
Aug 28, 2025
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59
Engineering
EU researchers are cultivating fungi on agricultural waste to create smarter and greener construction materials able to adapt and react to their environment, and even repair themselves.
Aug 27, 2025
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