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X-WR-CALNAME:From Filled Polymers to Functional Parts: Understanding Materi
 al Processing – Structure Interactions Across Metals\, Ceramics\, and Co
 mposites via 3D Printing
X-WR-TIMEZONE:Central Time (US & Canada)
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260609T122005Z
UID:tag:localist.com\,2008:EventInstance_52498488125931
DTSTART:20260417T160000Z
DTEND:20260417T170000Z
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Kunal Kate\, Associate Professor at UT San Antonio will pre
 sent a seminar titled "From Filled Polymers to Functional Parts: Understan
 ding Material Processing - Structure Interactions Across Metals\, Ceramics
 \, and Composites via 3D Printing" to the faculty and students at Discover
 y Park.\n\n \n\nAbstract\n\nIn filled polymer systems\, understanding how 
 material processing is affected by polymer type\, filler chemistry\, and f
 iller concentration is essential to manufacturing functional materials. Ad
 ditionally\, how polymer-filler interactions and manufacturing methods con
 nect can help transfer processing insights across metals\, ceramics\, and 
 composites. This talk explores that connection through highly filled polym
 er systems with metal powders in thermoplastic binders\, ceramic particles
  in photocurable resins\, and reinforcing fillers in engineering polymers\
 , using 3D printing as a platform that accelerates the cycle from formulat
 ion to functional part. We begin in metals\, where sinter-based material e
 xtrusion of copper maps the complete processing chain\, involving powder p
 acking\, binder formulation\, feedstock rheology\, debinding\, and sinteri
 ng\, to achieve 98% relative density and full electrical conductivity\, an
 d transfer that into designing lattice-based heat sinks for thermal manage
 ment. This processing framework extends to recycled aluminum from astronau
 t food packaging in partnership with NASA\, and to Digital Light Processin
 g (DLP) printed zirconia\, where controlled ceramic slurry processing and 
 sintering\, along with functionally graded architectures\, can target appl
 ications like interference screws that mimic the bone-ligament interface f
 or ACL reconstruction. The knowledge gained from highly filled polymers is
  then translated into polymer composites\, where filler types and their su
 rface chemistry introduce a new layer of complexity by simultaneously alte
 ring processing and functional response. Shape memory polymer composites r
 einforced with carbon fiber and graphene become a platform for engineering
  tunable actuation and strain sensing\, while natural fiber composites der
 ived from agricultural residues like soy hulls demonstrate a waste-to-valu
 e-added pathway through fiber surface engineering and compounding. This th
 read extends to plant-based polymer systems\, where epoxidized soybean oil
  and soy polyurethane resins replace petroleum-based matrices in applicati
 ons ranging from sustainable terrazzo to mixed matrix manufacturing of dis
 similar polymer systems with spatial property gradients. Moreover\, indust
 rial case studies show how students apply these techniques with industry p
 artners\, translating laboratory processing science into manufacturing pra
 ctice. This work shows that a common understanding of filled polymer proce
 ssing science can be used to meet needs in aerospace thermal management\, 
 biomedical implants\, in-space manufacturing\, and sustainable constructio
 n materials.\n\n \n\nBio\n\nDr. Kunal Kate is Associate Professor in the D
 epartment of Mechanical\, Aerospace\, and Industrial Engineering. He began
  his faculty appointment in Fall 2025. He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Sc
 ience from Oregon State University and was previously a tenured Associate 
 Professor at the University of Louisville\, where he also directed a $2 mi
 llion U.S. Department of Commerce-funded center for advanced manufacturing
  that connected academic research with industry challenges\, helping small
  and medium manufacturers adopt 3D printing and advanced manufacturing tec
 hnologies. Dr. Kate is the director of the Materials Innovation for Next-G
 en Technology (MINT) Laboratory and serves as an Associate Editor of Progr
 ess in Additive Manufacturing. His research focuses on powder-polymer proc
 essing\, 3D printing\, rheology\, and sintering of metals\, ceramics\, and
  composites\, with a specific focus on structure-property relationships in
  functionally graded materials and smart polymer composites. He has publis
 hed more than 60 peer-reviewed papers\, secured over $10+ million in resea
 rch funding through partnerships with NASA\, DOD\, USDA\, NSF\, and variou
 s industries\, and was recognized with the 2023 Trailblazer Award for prom
 oting innovation and translational research.
GEO:33.253134;-97.148579
LOCATION:Discovery Park Building\, B155
SUMMARY:From Filled Polymers to Functional Parts: Understanding Material Pr
 ocessing – Structure Interactions Across Metals\, Ceramics\, and Composi
 tes via 3D Printing
URL;VALUE=URI:https://calendar.unt.edu/event/es-202604171100
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Speakers
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