Research Areas
PAMI established more than 20 key collaborations to share and improve its physical resources and competences with academy, industry and other entities. These reinforced partnerships have facilitated to foster novel research areas and interdisciplinary fields:
PAMI established more than 20 key collaborations to share and improve its physical resources and competences with academy, industry and other entities. These reinforced partnerships have facilitated to foster novel research areas and interdisciplinary fields:
a)development of advanced materials
a1) a novel interdisciplinary research programme to develop spatial/temporal variation properties of three-dimensional printed (3DP) materials (collaboration: PAMI; Alba Synchrotron, Spain)
a2) development of new green thermosets – nanocomposites (collaboration: PAMI; University of Oran, Algeria)
b) novel AM processes/devices
b1) development of novel fabrication methods for stretchable electronics (collaboration: PAMI; Carnegie Mellon University, USA)
b2) large scale AM processes (PAMI; Industry, PT)
b3) novel bio-manufacturing processes to produce temporary implants (including four-dimensional scaffolds) for tissue engineering applications (collaboration: PAMI; University of Porto; University of Lisbon; Vasco da Gama School, PT; University of Karnatak, India, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy)
b4) indirect AM processes to explore shape memory alloys (PAMI, PT)
b5) fostering the design of novel AM devices (collaboration: PAMI, University of Lisbon; University of Aveiro, PT)
c) novel computational and mathematical methods in AM/3DP
c1) developing of an ambitious conceptual notion of “Universal Printing” (PAMI, PT)
c2) developing of computational and mathematical methods to apply different stimuli in AM bioreactors (collaboration: PAMI; University of Lisbon, PT; City College of New York; Soterix Medical Company, USA)
c3) design of kinematic connectors for AM microstructured materials (collaboration; PAMI; University of Minho, PT)
Scientific Impact
Developing a national/worldwide impactful research community in AM and related areas
In general, from 2017 to 2021, PAMI surpassed the key performance indicators planned, reaching a worldwide scientific and socioeconomic recognition through the top-level scientific productivity , high-quality training programmes – advanced/technical training programmes in Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM), and AM-related products/prototypes. PAMI published 195 international journal papers in total (141 (~70%) papers in high-quality international journals (Q1/Q2)), and 8 books. 19 PhD and 53 MSc/MEng theses were successfully completed. 68 physical models, 14 computational tools , 22 laboratory prototypes were successfully developed). 21 Portuguese patents were awarded and 1 brand registered. 2 European patents were submitted.
3 key pilot installations (PRINTBIG Lab, TRAINING FACTORY – Leiria, MECH Lab – Coimbra) were successfully implemented. They are state-of-the-art facilities within PAMI which have allowed the stimulation/valorisation of scientific results, enabling the creation of new products and providing support to launch spin off companies. It is a suitable environment, linking high qualified people, entrepreneurs, technicians, allowing to share efficient vocabulary on knowledge valorisation, good practices, and business opportunities.
~5000 people visited PAMI.
PAMI contributed to the creation of several types of international/national R&D projects, namely European projects; DDM projects in EU Synchrotron Radiation Facilities; “mobilizer” projects; FCT projects; Companies projects (direct contracts with companies), all in a PAMI complementary funding strategy. PAMI has organised several national/international events (conferences, workshops, seminars).