01/15/2025
The AMIEE Lab at MU has acquired a state-of-the-art Trumpf TruPrint 2000 metal laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) system, a groundbreaking addition that establishes the university as a leader in advanced manufacturing research and education. This system is unique in that it is equipped with dual lasers for enhanced productivity, as well as on-board powder bed monitoring to enable process research. The Trumpf is the first metals AM system on the MU campus and will empower researchers and students across various disciplines to explore new frontiers in materials science, engineering, and beyond.
The TruPrint 2000 system is housed in Lafferre Hall and will be accessible to researchers and students at MU, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and driving innovation. This acquisition marks a significant investment in MU's commitment to providing world-class research facilities and educational opportunities.
11/15/2024
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has awarded a grant for the AMIEE Lab to investigate the radiation response of a unique, 3D-printed version of aluminum 6061 consisting of finely-dispered boron. This project will be led by Dr. Thompson at MU with support from Auburn University and Tuskegee University. The title of the project is “Reactive Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Borated Aluminum Alloy 6061 for Nuclear Applications.”
This research will focus on determining the impact of finely-dispersed boron on the structural and shielding capabilities of additively manufactured (AMed) aluminum alloy 6061 (AA-6061) in nuclear environments. Employing Reactive Additive Manufacturing (RAM) through laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), this project aims to overcome the hot cracking challenges associated with AM of AA-6061 by introducing ceramic elements for enhanced manufacturability and grain refinement. Comprehensive testing including Vickers microhardness, tensile strength at room and high temperatures, and advanced microscopy (SEM, EBSD, TEM) will be conducted on both irradiated and non-irradiated samples to analyze radiation-induced damage and neutron attenuation. Ultimately, this project aims to facilitate the safer, more efficient incorporation of AA-6061 in advanced nuclear reactor designs, targeting applications where superior strength-to-weight and costs are important.
10/01/2023
Thompson has received a nearly $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to innovate a technique for additively manufacturing raw earth materials sustainably and in any location. The cross-disciplinary, two-year project, "Off-grid construction via sustainable compression curing of vegetable oil-impregnated sediments," includes co-principal investigators at Kansas State University and Georgia Southern University.
Awarded through the NSF's Future Manufacturing program, the project aims to use solar-powered compression and curing techniques to 3D-print building materials made of tung oil and local terrain for sustainable, raw earth construction. In addition, the team will develop an alternate means for building remotely in any condition or location, even the surface of the moon.
10/01/2020
Thompson has received funding from the Department of Energy (DOE) to study the effects of neutron irradiation on additive-manufactured part degradation. The project, which involves the collaboration with the University of Missouri's Research Reactor and Auburn University, is entitled: "Determining the Effects of Neutron Irradiation on the Structural Integrity of Additively Manufactured Heat Exchangers for Very Small Modular Reactor Applications". The project aims to determine how to best use laser-powder bed fusion additive manufacturing methods for generating radiation-resistant channel/pore-embedded structures from Inconel (alloy 625 or 718) nickel-based superalloys for special purpose reactor (i.e. very small modular reactor) heat exchangers.
DOE awarded more than $28.5 million through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) to support 40 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 23 states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students with opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.