Department of Engineering sophomore Jack Szyprowski took the first-place win at the SAMPE Regional Additive Manufacturing Symposium held at Rowan University. His research poster, “Variable Stiffness 3D Printed Structured Fabrics Activated by a Pressure Field” explored particle jamming through the modification of an existing design of 3D printed structured fabric (similar in design to chainmail).

Particle jamming is a process induced in many materials when particle density is increased, in turn, increasing viscosity in fluids and granular materials. Szyprowski encased his chosen 3D printed structured fabric in a polymer bladder, and subjected it to a vacuum, thereby increasing stiffness through particle jamming.

“I tested the stiffness of the structured fabric subjected to vacuum in 3-point bending, varying from 1 to 4 layers. The results indicated that stiffness increased as the number of layers increased,” he explained, adding that the stiffness of the fabric when inflated to atmospheric pressure (i.e. no vacuum) was negligible.

While Szyprowski says his research was preliminary, and there is a lot more that needs to be tested, the results could be applied to support structures in things like soft robotics or morphing skins for airfoils.

Szyprowski completed his winning research under the advisement of Professor Norman Wereley while working in the Composites Research Laboratory (CORE).

Outside of the lab, he is active with both Terraformers and the Terrapin Rocket Team, but says he is also always interested in trying new activities.

Post graduation, he aims to work in the private sector, but his research work has made him also consider pursuing a graduate degree.

“I would also love to work for NASA, especially on projects related to space exploration,” said Szyprowski. “But wherever I end up, I want to make a positive impact on the world.”