I recently had the incredible opportunity to travel to Northern California for a research collaboration at the University of California, Berkeley.

In collaboration with the Lawrance Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), UC Berkeley previously developed a technique for Volumetric Additive Manufacturing (VAM) called Computed Axial Lithography (CAL). This technology builds objects in a single step, using light to selectively solidify a photosensitive material within a contained volume. Recently, this technique has been taken to microscale, known as micro-CAL, and research has begun into a continuous printing system, without volumetric restriction.

Throughout my PhD I have been designing bio-based, low molecular weight gelators that can gel acrylate monomers at very low concentrations, providing a thickening effect that improves printability in VAM and increases the scope of materials that can be printed. After scale-up of my compound, it was shipped over to California for testing, where I was able to greet it to supervise with the formulation and printing of these new materials.  With the help of X Sun (from Hayden Taylors group) we were able to test my material in all 3 CAL systems, with great success!

I am so grateful that this opportunity has greatly improved my understanding of VAM, ticked off my first ‘solo-travel’, and provided me with great connections at UC Berkeley. I am thankful to X for being a fab host and showing me around NorCal and the CDT for providing me with the funding for this opportunity.

Amy Naylor Randles - Cohort 8