3D Printing of Piezoelectric Materials and Devices

The design goal of the project is to use a stock 3D printer to 3D print materials with piezoelectric properties by adding Barium Titanate nanoparticles to the UV resin. The result of the printed material will be a device that will produce a charge when subjected to vibrations or stress. These printed devices can be used as microphones and other vibration sensors in a variety of applications. This process will be achieved by modifying the 3D printer by changing the film in the resin vat of the printer with a conductive film. This will allow for applied voltage to create an electric field to align the nanoparticles, producing a manufactured piezoelectric structure. The current progress of the project has been developing a 3D model of the devices, modification of the off the shelf parts, and researching the most effective material ratios