Nottingham 3D printing research specialist wins international award

An academic from The University of Nottingham who specialises in manufacturing technology, has won a prestigious international award in recognition of his work in 3D printing. Dr Adam Clare won the title of International Outstanding Young Researcher for the significant contribution he has made to smart material processing, particularly with regards to additive manufacturing (3D printing).

Smart materials are those which are responsive to environmental stimuli which may either change their properties, their structure or their functions. These may include shape memory materials and piezoelectrics which have wide ranging applications from biomedical implants through to microelectronics.

Dr Clare said: “I am honoured to have received this award. It is also a tribute to the great work of all of the people involved in the 3D printing group in Nottingham. This is a very exciting time to be involved in 3D printing and I’m looking forward to undertaking further research in the future to further develop our understanding of the potential of this technology. Since Nottingham hosts the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing, we are well placed in this vibrant research community.”

Dr Clare was presented with his award at the Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium which took place at the University of Texas in Austin earlier this summer and celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.

Dr David Bourell, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at The University of Texas, and Chair of the SFFS organising committee, said: “The judges felt that in addition to Adam’s exceptional research work in the area of additive manufacturing, he has also demonstrated significant leadership potential as a member of the 3D printing group at The University of Nottingham.mIt is very encouraging to see that there are talented young academics, such as Adam, working in the area of freeform and additive manufacturing, who will help to push the boundaries of research and innovation in this field in the future.”