The Graphene 3D project has resulted in several important outcomes:
(1) Novel multifunctional polymeric materials incorporating graphene nanoplatelets, carbon nanotubes, and their hybrids (GNP/MWCNT) have been developed using innovative processing methods. Four prototypes have been fabricated, characterized and validated for 3D printing applications, FDM and SLS technologies, as follows:
- Multifunctional PLA-based hybrid composite filament (FDM), fabricated by controlled extrusion;
- PLA-based composite filament (FDM), produced by “local enrichment technology”;
- HAVOH-based composite filament (FDM), produced by “solvent assisted” method;
- TPU-based composite powder for SLS printers, produced by “powder wrapping” technique.
(2) Multifunctional 3D printed cellular structures with tunable electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical properties have been designed by modeling and simulation approaches. Four experimentally validated 3D-printed prototypes of cellular structures have been proposed:
- Anechoic structure for compact microwave absorbers;
- Periodic open-cell structures for protecting against electromagnetic perturbations;
- "Waffle" structure with improved thermal conductivity; and
- Nested “Russian doll” porosity structure for piezo resistive applications.
(3) Dissemination of the Project results by:
- 76 peer review publications, 33 of them “open access”; 20 invited talks and many posters in International conferences;
- 4 workshops and a Training school were organized within the Graphene 3D project;
- Intellectual Property Ownership Agreement was elaborated to be in force within 5 years after the project end.
(4) A great outcome of the project is certainly the creation the Joint Laboratory on Graphene-Polymer Research and Application, aimed at pursuing a long-lasting structured research and providing training program among its members. The internal organization of the Joint Lab has been agreed in the MC meeting on 2 August 2022, during the Final Workshop on Graphene 3D project, at UEF, Joensuu, Finland, where the three Boards and the Director have been elected. The Joint Lab intends to become an actor for meeting world great challenges brought about by the prominence of sustainable use of materials, energy transition, health care etc. Thanks the multi-sectorial and trans-continental collaborations built within Graphene-3D, the Joint Lab has master cards in hands (additive manufacturing, nanocarbons, multifunctional materials).
