Purdue University researchers have developed several innovations in the manufacturing field. There are more than 200 in the materials and manufacturing category available to bring to market through licensing or other commercial agreements with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.
Here are five:
Additive Manufacturing of Functional Materials, 2022-NEWE-69857
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new method for additive manufacturing (3-D printing) of functional materials.
No methods that combine additive manufacturing and electric poling currently exist, significantly limiting the range of materials that can be electrically polarized. The Purdue researchers’ method allows for electric poling of complex geometric structures.
Morphable 3D Printers for Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing, 2020-MALS-68950
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new approach to integrated additive and subtractive manufacturing, referred to as convergent manufacturing.
The method allows for 3D printing between different products. The technology morphs into different modes depending on its intended use.
A New Approach for Synthesizing More-Recyclable Polymers, 2021-DOU-69508
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new method of synthesizing free-standing polymers that allows depolymerization at lower temperatures.
Typical polymers are difficult to recycle partially because depolymerizing the polymers requires high heat and pressures which can also cause side reactions. The Purdue polymers can be depolymerized to monomers with at least 98% purity. The low cost, high stability and recyclability of the polymers make them promising for large-scale industrial synthesis.
A Novel Robotic Gripper with Adaptive Stiffness, 2022-GAN-69770
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a robotic gripper that adapts its stiffness in response to material property.
Robotic grippers function like arms for robots and are key in enhancing automation and understanding human-robot interaction. However, many robotic grippers have not struck a cost-effective balance between strength and flexibility. While traditional rigid grippers lack flexibility, recent soft grippers struggle with load bearing. Purdue researchers developed a gripper mechanism that changes the filling ratio of the cavity between the two parallel beams, allowing flexible grasping.
Self-Extinguishing, Toxic Gases Containment Enclosure for Lithium-Ion Batteries, 2020-MARI-69060
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new self-extinguishing enclosure for containing toxic gases from the production of lithium-ion batteries.
Flammable electrolytes form during this process and must be securely isolated for transportation and disposal. There remains an unmet need for a portable, light-weight solution. Purdue researchers meet this challenge with a unique “bubble wrap” that features specialized ventilation and easily fits around a secured box to hold potentially toxic gases. This system helps to avoid fires that can happen on thermal runways of lithium-ion batteries.
Find 19 categories of innovations developed by Purdue University researchers, all available to further develop through licensing or other commercialization agreements with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.
Read about other innovations in the materials and manufacturing category on the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization website.