3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Researchers Unveil New Means of Printing Conductors at Room-Temperature
Revopoint MetroX: Blue Laser Line and Full-field Structured Light 3D Scanner

Researchers Unveil New Means of Printing Conductors at Room-Temperature

July 7, 2023

Researchers in the US have made a discovery in the field of 3D printing with the creation of a highly conductive metallic gel. Unlike previous technologies, this gel allows for the printing of three-dimensional metal objects at room temperature in a single step. The gel opens up new possibilities for manufacturing a wide range of electronic components and devices.

The process begins with a solution of micron-scale copper particles suspended in water. A small amount of an indium-gallium alloy, which remains liquid at room temperature, is then added to the mixture. Through stirring, the liquid metal and copper particles form a metallic gel network within the solution. This gel-like consistency ensures a uniform distribution of copper particles throughout the material, creating electrical pathways and preventing clogging in the printer.

Researchers Unveil New Means of Printing Conductors at Room-Temperature
Conductive metallic spider printed using the gel feedstock. (Image Credit: Michael Dickey)

“Ultimately, this sort of four-dimensional printing – the traditional three dimensions, plus time , is one more tool that can be used to create structures with the desired dimensions,” said Michael Dickey, co-corresponding author of a paper and Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University.

“But what we find most exciting about this material is its conductivity. Because the printed objects end up being as much as 97.5% metal, they are highly conductive. It’s obviously not as conductive as conventional copper wire, but it’s impossible to 3D print copper wire at room temperature. And what we’ve developed is far more conductive than anything else that can be printed. We’re pretty excited about the applications here.”

The resulting gel can be printed using a conventional 3D printing nozzle and maintains its shape upon printing. As it dries at room temperature, the object becomes more solid while retaining its form. Applying heat during the drying process causes predictable structural changes based on the alignment of particles. By controlling the pattern of the printed object and the amount of heat applied, it is possible to alter the shape of the object after printing.

Come and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly additive manufacturing newsletter to get all the latest stories delivered right to your inbox.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

SAEKI Secures $6.7M to Advance Manufacturing Automation in Switzerland

Swiss manufacturing automation firm SAEKI has secured $6.7 million in new funding, bringing its total funding to $8 million. The investment round was... read more »

News
SAEKI Secures $6.7M to Advance Manufacturing Automation in Switzerland

Hospital Uses 3D Printed Models to Improve Surgical Planning

Hong Kong Eastern Hospital has developed new 3D printed models of newborn babies' lungs to help doctors practice treating pneumothorax, a potentially dangerous... read more »

Medical
Hospital Uses 3D Printed Models to Improve Surgical Planning

3D Printed Templates Guide Metal Formation Through Electroplating Process

A new manufacturing process combining 3D printing and electroplating has been developed to create complex metal structures with fine details. The hybrid method... read more »

News
3D Printed Templates Guide Metal Formation Through Electroplating Process

Air Force Adding 3D-Printed Drag Reducers to Globemaster Fleet

The US Air Force is completing its evaluation of 3D-printed microvanes designed to reduce drag on C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. These small... read more »

Aerospace
Air Force Adding 3D-Printed Drag Reducers to Globemaster Fleet

CoreTechnologie and Phasio Join Forces to Streamline Powder Bed 3D Printing

CoreTechnologie and Phasio have announced a new partnership to develop an automated solution for selective laser sintering (SLS) and multi jet fusion (MJF)... read more »

News
CoreTechnologie and Phasio Join Forces to Streamline Powder Bed 3D Printing

Hands-on Review: Einstar VEGA Wireless 3D Scanner

the Einstar VEGA is an attractive feature-packed wireless device, allowing you to scan a range of differently sized items, both indoors, and outdoors.

News
Hands-on Review: Einstar VEGA Wireless 3D Scanner

Bio-Inspired 3D Printing Breakthrough Creates Flexible Materials for Wearable Tech

Researchers at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have developed a new approach to 3D print complex bio-inspired structures using slow-curing... read more »

Materials
Bio-Inspired 3D Printing Breakthrough Creates Flexible Materials for Wearable Tech

Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra Review – A Perfect Choice for Beginners

Elegoo has released the latest addition to their ever popular Mars line of resin 3D printers, in the form of the Mars 5... read more »

News
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra Review - A Perfect Choice for Beginners

Minimizing Downtime in Additive Manufacturing Facilities

As an additive manufacturing company owner or manager, you would have a vested interest in minimizing downtime on the factory floor. Machine downtime... read more »

News
Minimizing Downtime in Additive Manufacturing Facilities

Puma and Louis-Gabriel Nouchi Release Mostro Mule Collaboration

Puma's latest Mostro shoe collaboration with French designer Louis-Gabriel Nouchi is set to launch today, January 23, 2024. The new design transforms the... read more »

Fashion
Puma and Louis-Gabriel Nouchi Release Mostro Mule Collaboration

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
Anycubic

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing