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Autodesk Teams Up With Researchers at LLNL to Explore Micro Scale 3D Printing

Software company Autodesk has embarked on an 18-month research partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California to explore the intersection of design software and 3D printing.

The partnership aims at developing nano- and micro-scale materials that structurally and mechanically mimic properties found in nature, such as components that are both stiff and lightweight. In particular, the team will focus on the development of new materials to be used in the production of protective helmets. The aim is to increase the performance of current materials in regards to shock-absorbtion and heat-dissipation.

“Today, predicting with 100-percent confidence the performance of a helmet is not possible,” Michael Bergin, principal research scientist at Autodesk said in an interview with ARCHITECT. “This is due to the nature of foams as cushioning material being stochastic, or randomly configured.” 

Autodesk will develop the prototype tools for defining the material properties and combinations, while researchers at the LLNL will provide them with valuable feedback. “The feedback of the LLNL scientists is a primary motivator for our progress in the development of our experimental interfaces and algorithms,” Bergin explained.

Their goal is to define the “ideal helmet” through this generative design process. It needs to be light-weight and portable as well as reliably absorb impact and dissipate energy at the same time.  Eventually, architects and engineers could create application-specific materials by inputting desired properties or performance and running it through the design software.


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