Title:
3D printing of metal and biomaterials using freeze casting in reduced gravity
Agreement Number:
19FAALBB36
Agreement Value:
$141,850.00
Agreement Date:
Mar 30, 2020 - Mar 31, 2026
Description:
The collapsing of soft material is a challenging issue for the earth's gravity additive manufacturing process of soft tissues or material (i.e. building a component in layers by depositing material). The main objective of this project is to develop a platform for a reduced gravity environment that can assess a considered additive manufacturing process (metal/biomaterials) for an optimum outcome with minimal defects while simultaneously performing instant measurements of surface energy and surface tension of a solid substrate and a liquid, respectively.
The knowledge of the change in the volume and density of the solidified material with the technology to quantify surface forces is a scientific innovation for numerous applications pertinent to future space missions. The same platform can be easily modified to test the ability of the in-house developed liquid material for 3D printing. The successful implementation of this project will comment on the feasibility to use space travel as a revenue source through the manufacturing of biomedical components which are difficult to manufacture with earth's gravity.
Organization:
Canadian Space Agency
Expected Results:
The Research component of the program provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research
and development in priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the
future.
Location:
Edmonton, Alberta, CA T6G 2E1
Reference Number:
003-2020-2021-Q1-04463
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Additional Information:
Amendment # 4 : Proponent has requested to increase the grant amount by $50,000 to allow for the Proponent to pay the National Research Council for the required flight hours as part of the funded research project and to extend the Project completion date to March 31, 2026, in order to complete project activities, which are delayed due to a change in the payment policy for flights operated by the Flight Research Laboratory at the National Research Council.
Amendment Date
Jul 17, 2025
Recipient's Legal Name:
The Governors of the University of Alberta
Program:
Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology
Program Purpose:
This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.
The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.