Purdue Polytechnic hosted Chao Ma for the Dean's Lecture Series on Nov. 5. Ma serves as an associate professor in the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks at Arizona State University. He delivered his presentation to students and faculty in the Stewart Center.
Ma discussed the industrial potential of ceramic additive manufacturing. He focused specifically on a process called binder jetting. Manufacturers use this 3D printing method to produce large parts with complex geometries.
Ma presented several approaches to controlling part density during the manufacturing process. He detailed techniques including powder granulation, powder bed compaction and melt infiltration in a reactive gas environment. He also introduced templated grain growth as a method to control ceramic microstructures and achieve specific textures.
Ma highlighted the practical applications of this technology using zeolite monoliths. Engineers use these specific 3D-printed ceramics for industrial separation and water treatment technologies. Ma discussed the engineering tradeoff between mechanical strength and adsorption performance in these materials.
He concluded the lecture by outlining the remaining challenges in translating academic research into practical manufacturing tools. He emphasized the need for ongoing industry collaboration and commercialization efforts.
Ma brings extensive manufacturing experience to his academic research. He previously worked as a senior mechanical engineer at semiconductor manufacturer ASML. He holds the National Science Foundation CAREER Award and the Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
