Dr. Fin Clementwood
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
ASTHETIC SCIENCE
Polarised Light Microscope X Washing-up Liquid
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Project design and lead
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
Dr. Fin Clementwood
modelling
crystallisation
Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
BACKGROUND
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Polarised light microscopy THEORY + microscopy
Process of utilising it & Rachel discovered it
Stunning images with vivid colours that shifted when the bubbles popped and moved. The result is a vivid array of textural and unfamiliar streaks of light, shadow and refracted patterns. The shapes of other bubbles are reflected, amplified and diminished like small lenses.
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[Add watermark to images]
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Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Polylactic Acid for 3D printing
Dr Fin J Hazelwood

modelling
crystallisation
Polylactic Acid X 3D printing
BACKGROUND
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Polylactic Acid is a common bioplastic used in 3D printing. How the material cools when it has been extruded influences how the crystals in the material forms. These crystals determine the strength and physical characteristics of the print. If we can model this process we can better predict the strength and durability of a model before it is printed.
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AIM: Model how the cooling happens so that the physical characteristics of a 3D printed design can be predicted and controlled.
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Location /
Maastricht University
Role /
Team Project
Purpose/
Project period
Year /
2014
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Collaborators/


HOW
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Using MATLAB myself and two other students: Roberto and Sam set out to model the process of crystallisation from basic theoretical physics principals. With each iteration our model accounted for more factors and became more accurate.
We collaborated with industrial scientists working with DSM at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Sittard-geleen. Using a polarising light microscope we could visualise the crystallisation process to compare to our model. We also used industry-quality high speed cameras and highly accurate sensors to test the strength and durability of the PLA samples to help provide data to validate our model.
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OUTCOME
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A model that accurately represented the crystallisation process and outcome that was validated by physical data. We also started investigating the technology transfer options for this software with the university as we believed this tool could be developed further and sold as part of CAD modelling software.
