Our teamdevelops a novel hybrid manufacturing technique to attain this vision. We begin with the three-dimensional printing of fiber preforms – the scaled-up replicas of the desired fiber devices. In a preform, the materials, such as metals, insulators, semiconductors, piezoelectrics, and non-linear optical media, are architecturally arranged to meet the desired functionality. Next, we thermally draw fibers from these preforms. Finally, we axially structure the fiber cores by means of controlled capillary instability into discrete integrated devices densely packed into the hosting fiber.
Our fibers warped into fabric will provide a basis for a new type of apparel that would monitor and regulate the comfort and health of its consumer. Moreover, our fibers will provide technological and scientific advances in multiple areas, such as green energy, environmental monitoring, biosynthetic electronics, tissue engineering, additive manufacturing, and fluid dynamics research.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the laboratory's team became essential workers and fabricated protective equipment for caretakers on the frontline of the medical crisis, including hopsitals such as Indiana University Health, Eskenazi Health, and Deaconness Health.
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