| Titania sol-gel ink was synthesized for the fabrication of fine structures using direct ink writing technology. Planar micro-structures such as micro-patterned lines were created using the sol-gel ink with uniform feature sizes and more complex structures such as foil bearing were also fabricated by precise motion control of three-axis robocaster and fine dispensing nozzle. The titania sol-gel ink was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the microstructures generated by direct ink writing technology was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical vision system to confirm that the CAD design of complex morphologies was successfully replicated into the real microstructures using the robocasting equipment. |
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