One goal is to develop the capability to be able to build structures which cannot be manufactured with current fabrication technologies. In our manufacturing approach, called Shape Deposition Manufacturing, CAD models are first decomposed in cross sectional layer segments. Then each layer segment is deposited using various deposition and fusion technologies ranging from metal-based thermal systems to photocurable polymer resins.
Selective deposition enables multi-material structures to be fabricated.
As the structures are being build-up, prefabricated components can also be embedded within the growing structures. Shape Deposition Lab - A solid freeform fabrication process which systemically combines material deposition with material removal processes. Tissue Engineering - Applying the principles of biology and engineering to develop tissue substitutes to restore, maintain, or improve the function of diseased or damaged human tissues. Rapid Design and Manufacture of Wearable Computers S. Finger , M. Terk, E. Subrahmanian, C. Kasabach, F. Prinz, D. Siewiorek , A. Smailagic, J. Stivorek, and L. Weiss Communications of the ACM , Vol. 39, No. 2, February, 1996.