1 Topic by AngstromInnovations

  • AngstromInnovations
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Topic: Silica Aerogel Infused 3D Filaments

Fellow Makers, Inventors, and Innovators; My name is Daniel P. Lynge, and I am the Chief Science Officer and Head Alchemist for Angstrom Innovations, Inc.

Angstrom Innovations is a small Advanced Materials manufacturer based near Seattle, specializing in Hydrophobic Silica Aerogel particulates (Extreme Thermal & Electrical Insulator). What has that got to do with 3D-printing? Well, one of my hobbies is 3D modeling and printing. I’ve tinkered with stuff since I can remember (like the time I got in trouble for disassembling all the telephones in the house… I was 6), and got the Idea to combine the two while watching a “How do they make that?” episode featuring peanut butter filled chocolates with my son…

You all are my type of folk, at least as far as being makers and tinkerers, hackers & inventors. I *really^3* want to see what you creative types can make with an Aerogel infused 3D-printer filament. I’ve combined some 200~200 mesh particulates with ABS, and mechanical/destructive testing suggests an upper limit to the Aerogel to ABS ratio. I’ve seen carbon nanotube- & buckyball-, steel-, aluminum-, and other material -Infused Filaments in ABS & PLA for the 3D-printer market, and so I asked the Angstrom Beancounters, they said “Get positive feedback by noon Tuesday, or it’s a NO-GO”.

So, Can I get “Peer Review” for the concept of Silica Aerogel infused 3D-Printer Filament? Would this be a Useful Thing? I know I’m excited about it, but it’s my idea; that and $5 will get you a Mocha. As far as insulative objects made with an additive printer, do you like the idea? Would you like to have Aerogel Infused Thermoplastic Filaments? And what would you be willing to pay for a 1 lb. spool equivalent of A.I. Filament?

Thank you for your Time, and hopefully your support.

Daniel P. Lynge,
CSO/HA Angstrom Innovations,Inc.

2 Reply by Tomek (edited by Tomek 2014-09-11 17:56:23)

  • Tomek
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Re: Silica Aerogel Infused 3D Filaments

I don't see how it would be either affordable or interesting as a material. Aerogel is wonderful on it's own, but does it add much to the process? It would presumably weaken the tensile strength unless you have a good binding process and it would not have its characteristic high-temp resiliency (because the plastic.)

I'd be careful of the particulate size, >0.4mm would be a nono, probably you want <0.3mm.

It might only be interesting if it's affordable, perhaps because there is some sort of dust particulate as a byproduct of the larger aerogel manufacturing process.