Though many of the emerging industrial examples of additive manufacturing are highly promising, being single material and generally structurally related, they are also limited to being used as “passive” entities that have little functionality beyond simply being used for structural applications. Taking the concept of design freedom beyond the geometrical domain to one where more functional, perhaps multiple materials are contemporaneously deposited opens-up the potential for the creation of complex, functionalized, “active” printed parts and devices. However, the palette of materials available to AM systems remains limited and, taken to its extreme, the discrete deposition of dissimilar materials throughout a 3D volume creates significant technical challenges, particularly in the co-deposition of useful and more functional materials.

This presentation will give a realistic view of the state of the art of printing functional materials, both singularly and for multi-material, “multifunctional” AM – with a concentration on metallic functional materials. Focusing on the current activities of the Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM) at the University of Nottingham where a coordinate Programme of activity into next-generation, functional AM is being undertaken. Principally funded by the UK’s national Science funder (EPSRC) and working with key industry, this research is investigating technologies for the deposition of both structural and functional materials for electrical systems, electronic, pharmaceutical and biological structures and devices over varying length scales.

Prof Richard Hague is Director of the Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM) at the University of Nottingham. Having worked in the AM field for over 25 years, he is internationally recognized both for scientific endeavour and creating impact though industrial exploitation where he has a background of leading and managing large multi-disciplinary, multi- partner research projects from both EPSRC and industry. Richard’s research interests are focused on AM specific processes, materials and computational methods across for wide spectrum of industrial sectors with current research programmes focused on next generation multifunctional additive manufacturing and the generation of functional materials through AM. Richard has received multiple international awards and honours and is a co-founder and Director of Added Scientific Ltd, a spin out from the University of Nottingham focused on implementing Additive Manufacturing technical solutions to industry.