Computational model optimizes electrical, thermal and mechanical behavior of 3D printed materials

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1074730

"conductive thermoplastics transmit electrical signals while providing structural support, but manufacture challenge controlling their internal structure due to bonding between filaments/ small cavities presence... 3D manufacture structures sensitive/ capable of transforming mechanical signals into electrical signals... enables use of softer materials, multifunctional material design... soft robotics, aerospace, biomedical/ infrastructure monitoring sensors that can obtain virtual data that can serve machine learning technologies"