Page 13 - Autumn 2024

Industry News Industry News

MODELLING THE COMPLEX PHYSICS

OF 3D-PRINTED COMPOSITES

A SMART BUILDING

CASE STUDY:

SIMMTRONIC Researchers from the University of Glasgow
have created the first system capable of
modelling the complex physics of 3D-printed
composites that can detect strain, load and
damage by simply measuring electrical
current.
This important innovation will allow material
scientists to predict how new structures can be
fine-tuned to produce specific combinations of
Simmtronic, a leader in lighting control Occupancy sensors are used to automatically strength, stiffness and self-sensing properties.
systems and smart building infrastructure, has switch off lights in unused areas and in daylight This could have implications across various could accurately predict how such 3D-printed
recently undertaken a major refurbishment linking technology adjusts artificial lighting industry sectors. materials would respond to differing stress levels
of its manufacturing site in Hoddesdon. The based on natural sunlight. and how electrical resistance would be affected,
In the aerospace and automotive fields it could
aim was to create a smart building that would which is envisaged to have an important role in
Integration of smart access control using HID enable real-time structural integrity monitoring
improve the working environment and reduce advancing additive manufacturing by enabling
readers allows employees to enter the building in aircraft, spacecraft and vehicle components.
energy consumption, whilst at the same time better prediction of material performance prior
with a tap on their mobile phone via Apple In civil engineering it could assist in the creation
showcasing the technology that it develops to the creation of physical prototypes.
Wallet, whilst corridor lighting is controlled of smart infrastructure capable of continuously
and supplies.
through entry points. assessing the condition of bridges, tunnels and Professor Shaumugam Kumar of the James Watt
The centrepiece of the retrofit was the creation high-rise buildings. It could also be extended School of Engineering, University of Glasgow,
A major challenge was the integration of
of a digital twin, that is, a real-time virtual to robots in automated manufacturing and to states:
systems from different manufacturers,
representation of the physical building powered defence to monitor the integrity of body armour.
particularly with the HVAC units being installed “ Imparting piezoresistive behaviour to
by a web of sensors and automated systems.
at different times and operated on various The integration of carbon nanotubes in 3D-printed cellular materials allows them to
Simmtronic’s own SPQ7 environmental sensors protocols, but modern units helped to overcome advanced 3D-printed materials enables the monitor their own performance without added
were installed allowing key factors such as this. material to conduct an electrical current and for equipment. This means we can create low-cost
carbon dioxide levels, humidity and temperature, its structural integrity to be measured thence easy-to-manufacture materials with the ability
The real-time data generated from the various
to be measured, as well as volatile organic using the principle of piezoresistivity. Changes in to detect damage and measure its extent. These
sensors and control systems has enabled a 15
compounds. These sensors feed real-time data electrical current can indicate damage and so autonomous sensing architected materials offer
to 20 per cent reduction in energy consumption,
into the Building Management System, enabling act as a signal for preventive maintenance. great potential for the development of advanced
which is anticipated to improve further during
automatic adjustments to be made to optimise new components.
the winter months. The research team combined extensive
air quality, lighting and energy consumption
laboratory experiments with computer modelling With this study we have developed a
based on occupancy and environmental It is concluded that ‘smart building retrofits
to create lightweight lattice structures from comprehensive system of capable of modelling
conditions: can deliver tangible benefits beyond just
polyetherimide (a plastic) mixed with carbon the performance of self-sensing, 3D-prined
energy savings’ and that ‘retrofitting is not just
‘ When carbon dioxide levels rise in an area, nanotubes. These were then tested for stiffness, materials. Informed by rigorous experimentation
a technological upgrade but a sound financial
the system increases fresh air intake, ensuring strength, energy absorption and self-sensing and theory, it’s the first system of its kind that
decision offering long-term savings and a more
optimal air quality without excessive energy capabilities. Modelling was then deployed in models these materials across multiple scales
sustainable way to operate buildings’.
use. This precision-driven approach ensures order to predict how these materials would and incorporates various physics.”
that energy is only used when and where it’s Reference: ‘How Simmtronic successfully retrofitted its behave under various loads. Testing followed
Manufacturing Site’, Electrical Review, Vol.258, No.3, Autumn 2024, [ Reference: West,P., ‘Enabling Future Generations of Self-sensing
needed, dramatically reducing waste and wear p.6-7. using infrared thermal imaging to visualise Materials’ , Electronic Specifier, 7th. October ]
on equipment.’ electrical current flow and its relation to material
performance. Findings revealed that the models
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