Modelling, characterization and visualization of anisotropic electrical behaviour in cuboids of Fused-Deposition-Modelling 3D prints

3D-printing electronics, and in particular sensors, is an upcoming field of research. The 3D-printing technique we use for this is Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). With FDM a molten plastic is extruded on a build plate line-by-line and layer-by-layer. This way of printing introduces contact resistance and capacitance between printed lines and layers, changing the electrical properties of a 3D-print. Recently we developed a 2D-model to describe the conduction in 3D-prints. The model can calculate voltages and currents in 2D sheets for both the DC and harmonic case.

The next step is extending the model to the 3rd dimension. The current equations can be extended and implemented in the code to represent 3D structures. Furthermore visualizing the calculated 3D voltage distributions and currents is a challenge.
We are looking for a student who wants to work on the development of the 3D version of the model as well as on visualization of the results. With a working model the student can also study the physics of electrical conduction in 3D-prints, derive new insights and study which differences in spatical impedance can be achieved for 3D-prints. The student is asked to:
- Extent the model equations to the 3 dimensional case
- Implement the 3D model in Matlab
- Validate the model through Finite Element simulations (COMSOL, together with the daily supervisor)
- Use the model to predict the electrical conduction in some standard sensor designs

The assignment is purely theoretical (due to the corona virus), however the goal is to apply the model as much as possible to already existing sensor designs.