Ames Lab 101: 3D Metals Printer

Multimedia · Thu Feb 13 00:00:00 EST 2014

OSTI ID:1133093

Ott, Ryan

To meet one of the biggest energy challenges of the 21st century - finding alternatives to rare-earth elements and other critical materials - scientists will need new and advanced tools. The Critical Materials Institute at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory has a new one: a 3D printer for metals research. 3D printing technology, which has captured the imagination of both industry and consumers, enables ideas to move quickly from the initial design phase to final form using materials including polymers, ceramics, paper and even food. But the Critical Materials Institute (CMI) will apply the advantages of the 3D printing process in a unique way: for materials discovery.

• Research Organization: Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1133093
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CRITICAL MATERIALS INSTITUTE
3D-PRINTING
METALS
LASER
RARE EARTH MATERIALS