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DOE OSTI · 2575664

3D printable silicone compositions exhibiting high toughness and low durometer

Schmidt, Spencer C. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0009000493642527)·Grondz, Jake J. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)]·Ford, Michael J. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000171182479)·Armas, Jeremy A. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0009000014835445)·Alexopoulos, Andrew D. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)]·Mendoza, Joshua T. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)]·Loeb, Colin K. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)]·Lenhardt, Jeremy M. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)]
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Abstract

3D printable silicones can be designed with varying crosslink density, network structures, and types of reinforcing additives. Within this design space, one may tailor the uncured material’s rheology and mechanical response to access a wide range of potential applications. However, printable, low modulus silicones, particularly those applicable to direct ink write, are underreported in published literature. To address the need for higher performance, low modulus silicones with demonstrated printability, a new set of ca. 20–50 Shore A hardness silicone elastomers exhibiting ca. 7 MPa ultimate tensile strength and ca. 400–1200% elongation at break is presented. Mechanical properties were analyzed, providing insight to the effects of formulation constituents on mechanical properties. Cyclic mechanical testing of the silicone formulations was also performed, and the energy loss and permanent set throughout cycling were determined. In conclusion, printed structures demonstrate the feasibility of these new silicones as durable frameworks for novel soft device applications.

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE3D printingAdditive manufacturingBioinspired MaterialsBiomedical MaterialsBiopolymersDurabilityExtrusionPolymerSoft LithographySoft MaterialsStructural Materials

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Schmidt, Spencer C. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0009000493642527), Grondz, Jake J. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)], Ford, Michael J. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000171182479), Armas, Jeremy A. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0009000014835445), Alexopoulos, Andrew D. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)], Mendoza, Joshua T. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)], Loeb, Colin K. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)], Lenhardt, Jeremy M. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)]. 2025-05-13. 3D printable silicone compositions exhibiting high toughness and low durometer. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-025-01590-y

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Cyclic moisture reactivation of calcium sorbents for long duration thermochemical energy storage

The transition to a flexible and reliable energy infrastructure, using electro-thermal energy generation technologies such as geothermal, concentrated solar power, and nuclear, usually demands simultaneous advancement of thermal energy storage (TES) to support on-demand electricity generation and industrial applications while mitigating the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources and power outages from direct energy generation. Among TES technologies, thermochemical energy storage (TCES) based on calcium looping emerges as a compelling high-power energy storage candidate due to its high reaction enthalpy, compatibility with elevated operating temperatures, and abundance of low-cost materials. However, the long-term durability of calcium-based sorbents for TCES is hindered by surface sintering and particle aggregation, leading to performance degradation over repeated thermal cycles. This study explores a moisture hydration-based strategy to regenerate a degraded calcium sorbent and mitigate performance degradation for long duration TCES. The addition of moisture transforms calcium oxide into calcium hydroxide and produces intercalation water layers, associated with a regenerated surface area and reduced calcium oxide crystallite size. Both these effects are beneficial in restoring the sorbents' reactivity for carbonization. Additionally, an optimized hydration-assisted reactivation protocol balances the recovered energy storage capacity with heating penalty required for moisture removal from hydrated samples, resulting in an enhanced energy storage capacity up to 176% compared to benchmark sorbents that undergo cycling without reactivation after 60 cycles. In conclusion, these results highlight the potential of hydration-assisted reactivation to enhance the long-term performance of TCES, providing an effective pathway to advancing electro-thermal storage technologies.

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