As the world enters a new era of first-tier resilience and sustainability, the international energy landscape has undergone significant changes. The energy system is changing from the absolute dominance of fossil energy to the direction of low-carbon and multi-energy integration, which promotes the international competition of energy technology and industry, and gives birth to new industries and formats. At the same time, the latest developments in energy technology development also indicate the future trend of global energy development.
In the current global competition in science and technology and industry, all countries in the world regard energy technology as a key breakthrough and make every effort to promote a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial revolution. Among them, the energy production system is very complex and diverse, and 3D printing technology has advantages in the field of rapid manufacturing of small batch products and complex parts manufacturing, which can produce and process extremely precise key components.
According to a new report released by Additive Manufacturing (AM) Research, the additive manufacturing market in the energy sector is expected to reach $17 billion by 2032. The report delves into the application of 3D printing in the energy sector such as oil and gas, nuclear energy, and renewable energy, and aims to generate $3.3 billion in additive manufacturing revenue across the energy sector by 2024.
As the global ** chain enters a new stage of more flexibility and sustainability, the demand for 3D printing technology in the field of new energy has increased significantly, let's take a look at the specific applications.
Catalysts with an ordered porous structure
The team from Fudan University has successfully prepared a series of high-efficiency and low-cost periodic three-dimensional structural catalysts. Based on the fine three-dimensional structure to optimize the specific surface area and bubble transport function of the catalyst, the catalytic performance of the monolithic catalyst at 298 and 318 K was improved by 23 and 16 times, and the physical and chemical properties do not change; and hydrogen production rates of 2548 and 3885 ml GCAT-1min-1, respectively. The results of this study open up a new idea for the construction of high-efficiency integral catalysts.
The team used BMF's precision MicroARCH S240 (accuracy: 10 m) 3D printing equipment to prepare an orderly and porous catalyst substrate. Based on this preparation strategy, it is possible to develop highly active monolithic catalysts for heterogeneous catalysis of various gas formations.
Metal micro-lattice power high-performance zinc-ion batteries
Professor Duan Huigao, Associate Professor Zhang Guanhua, Zhang Xianan and others from Hunan University broke through the traditional zinc anode optimization strategy, proposed a new idea of "multifunctional 3D structure electrode", and successfully realized the reliable manufacturing of zinc anode with integrated structure and function with the help of cross-scale high-precision 3D printing technology (NanoArch P140, accuracy: 10 m) and chemical deposition electrodeposition technology.
In addition, the whole cell assembled from a 3D Ni-ZN microlattice anode and a vanadium oxide cathode with a polyaniline intercalation exhibited excellent electrochemical performance. This conductive metal microlattice with an ordered 3D through-hole structure provides a new idea for the development of other high-performance metal batteries such as Li, Na, K, Mg, Al.
Three-dimensional functionalized hydrogel devices
Professor Tiejun Zhang's team from Khalifa University proposed a novel method for the preparation of three-dimensional functionalized hydrogel devices. The team used BMF's precision nanoArch S130 (accuracy: 2 m) device to achieve high-precision 3D printing of hydrogels, and introduced metal salt ions into the hydrogel monomer mixture P (Nipam-Co-PEGDA), and finally obtained an iron oxide nanoparticle (Fe3O4NPS) hydrogel solar evaporator with high absorbance performance.
The preparation method successfully solves multiple problems in 3D printing composites, such as uneven particle distribution, agglomeration, scattering of cured light, and the resulting deterioration of print quality and resolution. The composite hydrogel structure made by this method exhibited excellent light absorption performance and fast capillary water transport performance, and achieved 5Ultra-high water evaporation rate of 12kgm-2h-1.
3D printed bionic solar evaporator
Zhaolong Wang's group at Hunan University prepared samples of bionic microchannels and hydrogel evaporators using surface projection microstereolithography (nanoarch P140, accuracy: 10 m). After treatment, a porous hydrogel network structure rich in carbon nanoparticles and a composite evaporator structure of biomimetic microchannels were formed. Under the action of capillary force, the liquid will be transported from the bottom of the microchannel to the hydrogel network, and the hydrogel will rapidly heat up under the photothermal action of carbon nanoparticles under the irradiation of sunlight and quickly evaporate the water, and finally realize the dynamic equilibrium of water absorption and evaporation of the solar evaporator.
Energy technology is one of the important factors that determine the future of global energy, and the development direction of energy technology is a key chess piece related to the overall energy strategy.
Grasping the green, low-carbon, intelligent, efficient and diversified development direction of the world's energy technology, rationally planning the medium- and long-term vision and goal of building a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient modern energy system, and using high-tech and industrial roadmaps such as micro-nano 3D printing to guide technology research and development and industrial innovation, this may be the next export of energy transition.