Results of the summarizing process for the arXiv paper: 2001.03430v1

In recent years, Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) have been found to be optimal geometries for structural applications in materials science. TPMS are surfaces that possess locally minimized surface area under the constraint of periodic boundary conditions. Different families of surfaces were obtained with different topologies satisfying such conditions, including Primitive (P), Gyroid (G) and Diamond (D) surfaces. Proposed by Mackay and Terrones in 1991, schwarzites are 3D crystalline porous carbon nanocrystals exhibiting the shape of TPMS. However, the complex topology of schwarzites poses serious limitations on their synthesis with conventional nanoscale fabrication methods, such as Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). To overcome this challenge, Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques, such as 3D Printing, can be employed to fabricate TPMS structures. In this study, an optimized atomic model of a schwarzite structure from the D family (D8bal) was used to generate a surface mesh which was subsequently 3D-printed through Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) using thermoplastic PolyLactic Acid (PLA) polymer filaments. Mechanical properties under uniaxial compression were investigated for both the atomic model and the 3D-printed one. Fully atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were also carried out to investigate the uniaxial compression behavior of the D8bal atomic model. The mechanical testings performed on the 3D-printed schwarzite showed deformation mechanisms similar to those observed in MD simulations. These results suggest a scale-independent mechanical behavior dominated by structural topology. Overall, this study demonstrates that AM techniques can be utilized to fabricate complex TPMS structures like schwarzites for potential use in structural applications. The findings also shed light on how structural topology can influence mechanical behavior at different scales.

• Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) are optimal geometries for structural applications in materials science
• TPMS possess locally minimized surface area under the constraint of periodic boundary conditions
• Different families of surfaces were obtained with different topologies satisfying such conditions, including Primitive (P), Gyroid (G) and Diamond (D) surfaces
• Schwarzites are 3D crystalline porous carbon nanocrystals exhibiting the shape of TPMS, proposed by Mackay and Terrones in 1991
• The complex topology of schwarzites poses serious limitations on their synthesis with conventional nanoscale fabrication methods like Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)
• Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques like 3D Printing can be employed to fabricate TPMS structures
• An optimized atomic model of a schwarzite structure from the D family was used to generate a surface mesh which was subsequently 3D-printed through Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) using thermoplastic PolyLactic Acid (PLA) polymer filaments
• Mechanical properties under uniaxial compression were investigated for both the atomic model and the 3D-printed one
• Fully atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to investigate the uniaxial compression behavior of the D8bal atomic model
• The mechanical testings performed on the 3D-printed schwarzite showed deformation mechanisms similar to those observed in MD simulations, suggesting a scale-independent mechanical behavior dominated by structural topology.
• This study demonstrates that AM techniques can be utilized to fabricate complex TPMS structures like schwarzites for potential use in structural applications.
• The findings also shed light on how structural topology can influence mechanical behavior at different scales.

This is a story about special shapes called Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS). They are really good for making strong things like buildings and bridges. There are different types of TPMS, like the Primitive, Gyroid, and Diamond surfaces. Scientists made something called schwarzites that look like TPMS but are very small. It's hard to make them with normal ways, so they used 3D printing to make them. They tested how strong the schwarzites were and found out that their shape makes them really strong no matter how big or small they are. This means we can use 3D printing to make cool new structures that are super strong! Definitions- Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS): special shapes that are really good for making strong things - Periodic boundary conditions: a rule that says the shape has to repeat itself in all directions - Topologies: different ways of connecting points on a surface - Schwarzites: tiny crystals made to look like TPMS - Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques: using machines to build things layer by layer - Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM): a type of 3D printing where melted plastic is squeezed out of a nozzle onto a surface - PolyLactic Acid (PLA): a type of plastic used in 3D printing - Uniaxial compression: squishing something from one direction only - Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations: using

3D Printing of Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces: Exploring the Mechanical Properties of Schwarzites

In recent years, Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) have been found to be optimal geometries for structural applications in materials science. TPMS are surfaces that possess locally minimized surface area under the constraint of periodic boundary conditions. Different families of surfaces were obtained with different topologies satisfying such conditions, including Primitive (P), Gyroid (G) and Diamond (D) surfaces. Proposed by Mackay and Terrones in 1991, schwarzites are 3D crystalline porous carbon nanocrystals exhibiting the shape of TPMS. However, due to their complex topology, conventional nanoscale fabrication methods such as Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) pose serious limitations on their synthesis.

Additive Manufacturing Techniques for Fabricating Complex Structures

To overcome this challenge, Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques can be employed to fabricate TPMS structures. In this study, an optimized atomic model of a schwarzite structure from the D family (D8bal) was used to generate a surface mesh which was subsequently 3D-printed through Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). The FDM process involves depositing thermoplastic PolyLactic Acid (PLA) polymer filaments layer by layer onto a build platform according to instructions generated from computer-aided design software.

Investigating Mechanical Behavior at Different Scales

Mechanical properties under uniaxial compression were investigated for both the atomic model and the 3D-printed one using mechanical testing equipment and Fully atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations respectively. The mechanical testings performed on the 3D-printed schwarzite showed deformation mechanisms similar to those observed in MD simulations; suggesting a scale-independent mechanical behavior dominated by structural topology.

Conclusion

Overall, this study demonstrates that AM techniques can be utilized to fabricate complex TPMS structures like schwarzites for potential use in structural applications. The findings also shed light on how structural topology can influence mechanical behavior at different scales.