Dr. Yang Yang has won the NSF Career Grant

This CAREER award explores a cooling-assisted additive manufacturing (AM) method to create bioinspired hybrid materials, combining lightweight properties with strength and toughness for sports, biomedical, and electronics applications. Current AM techniques struggle with high ceramic loading and precise crystal control. This project develops a novel AM approach using photo-induced polymerization and layered cooling crystallization to mimic biomineralization, enabling precise rigid material placement in polymer frameworks. The research examines cooling parameters, resin chemistry, and bioinspired patterns to optimize crystal growth and bonding. Combining simulations and experiments, it aims to enhance multifunctional material design for protective gear, implants, and more, while fostering STEM education and workforce development.