journal article·2024-02-06Open access

Additive Manufacturing in Underwater Applications

Kinga Korniejenko, Szymon Gądek, Piotr Dynowski, Doan Hung Tran, Magdalena Rudziewicz, Sebastian Pose, Thomas Grab

Applied Sciences· Volume 14· Issue 4

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly named 3D printing, is a promising technology for many applications. It is the most viable option for widespread use in automated construction processes, especially for harsh environments such as underwater. Some contemporary applications of this technology have been tested in underwater environments, but there are still a number of problems to be solved. This study focuses on the current development of 3D printing technology for underwater applications, including the required improvements in the technology itself, as well as new materials. Information about underwater applications involving part fabrication via AM is also provided. The article is based on a literature review that is supplemented by case studies of practical applications. The main findings show that the usage of additive manufacturing in underwater applications can bring a number of advantages—for instance, increasing work safety, limiting the environmental burden, and high efficiency. Currently, only a few prototype applications for this technology have been developed. However, underwater additive manufacturing is a promising tool to develop new, effective applications on a larger scale. The technology itself, as well as the materials used, still require development and optimization.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies · Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials · Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Faculty of Material Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology, al. Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Krakow, Poland

Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Michała Oczapowskiego 2, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Nha Trang University, Nguyen Dinh Chieu 2, Nha Trang 650000, Vietnam

Scientific Diving Center of the Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav-Zeuner-Straße 7, 09599 Freiberg, Germany

Funding

Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange in the framework of joint research projects between the Republic of Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany under the grant “Underwater eco-monitoring” · Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange under the Exchange program for students and scientists

References (100+)

Show source-provided references
1. Rajendran, S., Palani, G., Kanakaraj, A., Shanmugam, V., Veerasimman, A., Gądek, S., Korniejenko, K., and Marimuthu, U. (2023). Metal and Polymer Based Composites Manufactured Using Additive Manufacturing—A Brief Review. Polymers, 15.10.3390/polym15112564 ↗
2. Influence of Binder Jet 3D Printing Process Parameters from Irregular Feedstock Powder on Final Properties of Al Parts10.1016/j.apt.2022.103768 ↗
3. Effect of Powder Reuse Times on Additive Manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V by Selective Electron Beam Melting10.1007/s11837-015-1300-4 ↗
4. Liber-Kneć, A., Łagan, S., Chojnacka-Brożek, A., and Gądek, S. (2021). Innovations in Biomedical Engineering, Springer International Publishing.
5. 3D Printing for Cardiovascular Surgery and Intervention: A Review Article10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102086 ↗
6. Ziejewska, C., Marczyk, J., Korniejenko, K., Bednarz, S., Sroczyk, P., Łach, M., Mikuła, J., Figiela, B., Szechyńska-Hebda, M., and Hebda, M. (2022). 3D Printing of Concrete-Geopolymer Hybrids. Materials, 15.10.3390/ma15082819 ↗
7. A Brief overview of the use of additive manufacturing of concreate materials in construction
8. High-Performance Organic Electrochemical Transistors Gated with 3D-Printed Graphene Oxide Electrodes10.1007/s12274-023-6067-2 ↗
9. Science and Technology of Additive Manufacturing Progress: Processes, Materials, and Applications10.1007/s12540-023-01467-x ↗
10. Sustainable Robots 4D Printing10.1002/adsu.202300289 ↗
11. 3D and 4D Printing: From Innovation to Evolution10.1016/j.cis.2021.102482 ↗
12. Review of Mechanisms and Deformation Behaviors in 4D Printing10.1007/s00170-019-03871-3 ↗
13. 4D Printing: Technological Developments in Robotics Applications10.1016/j.sna.2022.113670 ↗
14. Korniejenko, K., Pławecka, K., and Kozub, B. (2022). An Overview for Modern Energy-Efficient Solutions for Lunar and Martian Habitats Made Based on Geopolymers Composites and 3D Printing Technology. Energies, 15.10.3390/en15249322 ↗
15. A Review of Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace Application
16. Applications of 3D Printing Technologies in Oceanography10.1016/j.mio.2016.08.001 ↗
17. Closed-Loop 4D-Printed Soft Robots10.1016/j.matdes.2019.108411 ↗
18. Influential Factors on Mechanical Properties and Microscopic Characteristics of Underwater 3D Printing Concrete10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107571 ↗
19. Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Concrete with Coarse Aggregates and Polypropylene Fiber in the Air and Underwater Environment10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131184 ↗
20. Ryley, M., Carve, M., Piola, R., Scardino, A.J., and Shimeta, J. (2021). Comparison of Biofouling on 3D-Printing Materials in the Marine Environment. Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad., 164.10.1016/j.ibiod.2021.105293 ↗
21. Evaluating Biodiversity for Coral Reef Reformation and Monitoring on Complex 3D Structures Using Environmental DNA (EDNA) Metabarcoding10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159051 ↗
22. Underwater Additive Manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy by Laser Metal Deposition: Formability, Gran Growth and Microstructure Evolution10.1016/j.matdes.2020.109196 ↗
23. Najem, J., and Akle, B. (2011, January 18–21). Design and Development of a Biomimetic Jellyfish Robot That Features Ionic Polymer Metal Composites Actuators. Proceedings of the ASME 2011 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.10.1115/SMASIS2011-5105 ↗
24. Sanchez-Gonzalez, P.-L., Díaz-Gutiérrez, D., Leo, T., and Núñez-Rivas, L. (2019). Toward Digitalization of Maritime Transport?. Sensors, 19.10.3390/s19040926 ↗
25. Scopus (2024, January 02). Analyze Search Results. Available online: https://www.scopus.com/term/analyzer.uri?sid=188243f8e3cdd17f881cfb7a99920bc5&origin=resultslist&src=s&s=TITLE-ABS-KEY%28%223D+printing%22%29&sort=plf-f&sdt=sisr&sot=b&sl=28&count=648&analyzeResults=Analyze+results&ref=%28underwater%29&txGid=997174eed21cc8368ab7fafa38e6098e.
26. 3D Concrete Printing in Air and under Water: A Comparative Study on the Buildability and Interlayer Adhesion10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134403 ↗
27. Optimisation of 3D Printed Concrete for Artificial Reefs: Biofouling and Mechanical Analysis10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121649 ↗
28. Underwater 3D Printing of Cement-Based Mortar10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.04.134 ↗
29. Woo, S.J., Yang, J.M., Lee, H., and Kwon, H.K. (2021). Comparison of Properties of 3d-Printed Mortar in Air vs. Underwater. Materials, 14.10.3390/ma14195888 ↗
30. Yang, J.M., Park, I.B., Lee, H., and Kwon, H.K. (2023). Effects of Nozzle Details on Print Quality and Hardened Properties of Underwater 3D Printed Concrete. Materials, 16.10.2139/ssrn.4250121 ↗
31. Feasibility of Glass/Basalt Fiber Reinforced Seawater Coral Sand Mortar for 3D Printing
32. Experimental Study on the Slump-Flow Underwater for Anti-Washout Concrete10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.130026 ↗
33. Washout Resistance of Self-Protected Underwater Concrete in Freshwater and Seawater10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123186 ↗
34. Artificial Reefs Built by 3D Printing: Systematisation in the Design, Material Selection and Fabrication10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129766 ↗
35. Emerging 3D Technologies for Future Reformation of Coral Reefs: Enhancing Biodiversity Using Biomimetic Structures Based on Designs by Nature10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154749 ↗
36. (2024, January 04). CPSdrone 3D Printing Underwater Actually WORKS. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY7lJexBUZQ.
37. A New Fabrication Method of Designed Metamaterial Based on a 3D-Printed Structure for Underwater Sound Absorption Applications10.1016/j.apacoust.2023.109221 ↗
38. Champion, B.T., Jamshidi, M., and Joordens, M.A. (August, January 31). 3D Printed Underwater Housing. Proceedings of the World Automation Congress Proceedings, Rio Grande, PR, USA.
39. Loni, Z.M., Espinosa, H.G., and Thiel, D.V. (2018, January 6–7). Vertically Directed Microwave Radiation from a Floating Hemispherical Antenna. Proceedings of the 2018 Australian Microwave Symposium, AMS 2018—Conference Proceedings, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.10.1109/AUSMS.2018.8346974 ↗
40. Khaleed, H.M.T., Badruddin, I.A., Saquib, A.N., Addas, M.F., Kamangar, S., and Yunus Khan, T.M. (2019). Novel Approach to Manufacture an AUV Propeller by Additive Manufacturing and Error Analysis. Appl. Sci., 9.10.3390/app9204413 ↗
41. Using PET-G to Design an Underwater Rover Through 3D PrintingTtechnology
42. Ștefan, A.G., Grigore, L.Ș., Marzavan, S., Priescu, I., and Oncioiu, I. (2021). Theoretical and Experimental Aspects Regarding the Forced Mounting of a Cylinder Containing the Electronics of a Mini Submarine. J. Mar. Sci. Eng., 9.10.3390/jmse9080855 ↗
43. Compressive Response of 3D Printed Graded Foams10.1016/j.jcomc.2021.100181 ↗
44. Krohmann, S., Rautmann, L.L., Glatzer, L., and Kosleck, S. (2022, January 5–10). Experimental Studies of Additive Manufacturing for Subsea Enclosures. Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, Hamburg, Germany.10.1115/OMAE2022-79026 ↗
45. Luthy, K., and Miller, D. (2021, January 20–23). Case Study of a 3D Printed Underwater Housing. Proceedings of the Oceans Conference Record (IEEE), San Diego, CA, USA.10.23919/OCEANS44145.2021.9705928 ↗
46. 3D Printing Technology Meets Marine Biofouling: A Study on Antifouling Resin for Protecting Marine Sensors
47. Characteristics of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites Containing Surface Treated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for the Underwater Applications10.1007/s13233-013-1073-y ↗
48. Self-Stratified Versatile Coatings for Three-Dimensional Printed Underwater Physical Sensors Applications10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c01770 ↗
49. High-Performance Ti-6Al-4V with Graded Microstructure and Superior Properties Fabricated by Powder Feeding Underwater Laser Metal Deposition10.1016/j.surfcoat.2020.126778 ↗
50. Printed Pressure Housings for Underwater Applications10.1016/j.oceaneng.2015.12.033 ↗
51. Hur, B., Morgan, J.A., Langari, R., Jordan, J., Caleb, M., Stewart, C., Malbec, B., and James, D.K. (October, January 15). 3-D Printed Metal and Plastic Propeller Design and Manufacturing for Small-Scale Underwater Thrusters 3D Printed Metal and Plastic Propeller Design and Manufacturing for Small-Scale Underwater Thrusters. Proceedings of the 2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Tampa, FL, USA.
52. Construction of Corrosion Resistant Stainless Steel Mesh and the Design for Protecting Optical Window Free from Biofouling10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.112564 ↗
53. Additive Manufacturing of Miniature Marine Structures for Crashworthiness Verification: Scaling Technique and Experimental Tests10.1016/j.marstruc.2020.102764 ↗
54. Low-Frequency Transducer with a Periodic Displacement Amplification Structure Based on 3D Printing10.1016/j.apacoust.2023.109232 ↗
55. An Adhesive Bioink toward Biofabrication under Wet Conditions10.1002/smll.202205078 ↗
56. Lin, H., Yin, C., Mo, A., and Hong, G. (2021). Applications of Hydrogel with Special Physical Properties in Bone and Cartilage Regeneration. Materials, 14.10.3390/ma14010235 ↗
57. Hydrogel with Ultrafast Self-Healing Property Both in Air and Underwater10.1021/acsami.7b17118 ↗
58. 3D Printing of Octopi-Inspired Hydrogel Suckers with Underwater Adaptation for Reversible Adhesion10.1016/j.cej.2022.141268 ↗
59. Hydrophobic Eutectogels as Electrodes for Underwater Electromyography Recording10.1021/acsmaterialslett.3c00938 ↗
60. Focus of Ultrasonic Underwater Sound with 3D Printed Phononic Crystal10.1063/5.0058415 ↗
61. Design and Characterization of a Miniature Free-Swimming Robotic Fish Based on Multi-Material 3D Printing10.1007/s41315-017-0012-z ↗
62. Kafle, A., Luis, E., Silwal, R., Pan, H.M., Shrestha, P.L., and Bastola, A.K. (2021). 3d/4d Printing of Polymers: Fused Deposition Modelling (Fdm), Selective Laser Sintering (Sls), and Stereolithography (Sla). Polymers, 13.10.3390/polym13183101 ↗
63. Additive Manufacturing Aboard a Moving Vessel at Sea Using Passively Stabilized Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing
64. Biomimetic On-Chip Filtration Enabled by Direct Micro-3D Printing on Membrane10.1038/s41598-022-11738-z ↗
65. 3D-Printed Underwater Super-Oleophobic Shark Skin toward the Electricity Generation through Low-Adhesion Sliding of Magnetic Nanofluid Droplets10.1002/adfm.202103776 ↗
66. AVEXIS—Aqua Vehicle Explorer for in-Situ Sensing10.1109/LRA.2016.2519947 ↗
67. Coreixas De Moraes, C., and Santiago, R.C. (2018, January 6–9). AUV Scaled Model Prototyping Using 3D Printing Techniques; AUV Scaled Model Prototyping Using 3D Printing Techniques. Proceedings of the 2018 IEEE/OES Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Workshop (AUV), Porto, Portugal.10.1109/AUV.2018.8729828 ↗
68. PH Monitoring IOT Controlled Biomimetic Robotic Fish
69. Thakkar, P., Sanghvi, M., Lekurwale, N., and Sawant, D. (2022, January 11–13). Lumina Remotely Operated Vehicle. Proceedings of the 2022 IEEE Delhi Section Conference, DELCON 2022, New Delhi, India.10.1109/DELCON54057.2022.9753164 ↗
70. Ziaeefard, S., Ribeiro, G.A., and Mahmoudian, N. (2015, January 1–3). GUPPIE, Underwater 3D Printed Robot a Game Changer in Control Design Education. Proceedings of the American Control Conference, Chicago, IL, USA.10.1109/ACC.2015.7171157 ↗
71. kalypso Autonomous Underwater Vehicle: A 3D-Printed Underwater Vehicle for Inspection at Fisheries10.1115/1.4062355 ↗
72. Song, S., and Yu, S.C. (2016, January 6–9). Underwater Marking AUV Using Paraffin Wax. Proceedings of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicles 2016, AUV 2016, Tokyo, Japan.10.1109/AUV.2016.7778716 ↗
73. Ay, M., Korkmaz, D., Koca, G.O., Bal, C., Akpolat, Z.H., and Bingol, M.C. (2018). Mechatronic Design and Manufacturing of the Intelligent Robotic Fish for Bio-Inspired Swimming Modes. Electronics, 7.10.3390/electronics7070118 ↗
74. Vogt, D.M., Becker, K.P., Phillips, B.T., Graule, M.A., Rotjan, R.D., Shank, T.M., Cordes, E.E., Wood, R.J., and Gruber, D.F. (2018). Shipboard Design and Fabrication of Custom 3D-Printed Soft Robotic Manipulators for the Investigation of Delicate Deep-Sea Organisms. PLoS ONE, 13.10.1371/journal.pone.0200386 ↗
75. Zhao, S., Wang, Q., Fang, X., Liang, W., Cao, Y., Zhao, C., Li, L., Liu, C., and Wang, K. (2022). Application and Development of Autonomous Robots in Concrete Construction: Challenges and Opportunities. Drones, 6.10.3390/drones6120424 ↗
76. Fully 3D Printed Multi-Material Soft Bio-Inspired Frog for Underwater Synchronous Swimming10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2021.106725 ↗
77. Optimization Strategies and Emerging Application of Functionalized 3D-Printed Materials in Water Treatment: A Review10.1016/j.jwpe.2022.103410 ↗
78. 3D Printing for Membrane Separation, Desalination and Water Treatment10.1016/j.apmt.2019.100486 ↗
79. A New Sensor Inspired by the Lateral-Line System of Fish Using the Self-Powered D33 Mode Piezoelectric Diaphragm for Hydrodynamic Sensing10.1016/j.ymssp.2019.106476 ↗
80. Simulations of 3D-Printable Biomimetic Artificial Muscles Based on Microfluidic Microcapacitors for Exoskeletal Actuation and Stealthy Underwater Propulsion10.1016/j.sna.2021.112700 ↗
81. Angel, M., Gonzales, C., and Kujala, P. 3D Printing Miniature Marine Structures Models for Structural Analysis Purpose: Is It Possible? In Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, Glasgow, UK, 9–14 June 2019.
82. Musipov, H.N., Nikitin, V.S., and Bakanovskaya, L.N. (2017, January 29). Technology for Subsea 3D Printing Structures for Oil and Gas Production in Arctic Region. Proceedings of the IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Available online: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/262/1/012069/meta.10.1088/1757-899X/262/1/012069 ↗
83. Erioli, A., and Zomparelli, A. (2012, January 18–21). Emergent Reefs. Proceedings of the ACADIA 2012—Synthetic Digital Ecologies: Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, San Francisco, CA, USA. Available online: https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/en/publications/emergent-reefs.10.52842/conf.acadia.2012.139 ↗
84. Berman, O., Levy, N., Parnas, H., Levy, O., and Tarazi, E. (2023). Exploring New Frontiers in Coral Nurseries: Leveraging 3D Printing Technology to Benefit Coral Growth and Survival. J. Mar. Sci. Eng., 11.10.3390/jmse11091695 ↗
85. Artificial Reef Effectiveness Changes among Types as Revealed by Underwater Hyperspectral Imagery10.1111/rec.13978 ↗
86. Performance of Innovative Materials as Recruitment Substrates for Coral Restoration10.1111/rec.13625 ↗
87. High-Strength, Superhydrophilic/Underwater Superoleophobic Multifunctional Ceramics for High Efficiency Oil-Water Separation and Water Purification10.1016/j.mtnano.2022.100199 ↗
88. 3D-Printed Bionic Solar Evaporator10.1002/solr.202101063 ↗
89. A Bionic Degassing Device Inspired by Gills: Application on Underwater Oil and Gas Detection10.1007/s42235-022-00264-3 ↗
90. A New Era of Water Treatment Technologies: 3D Printing for Membranes10.1016/j.jiec.2020.07.043 ↗
91. Review of Manufacturing Three-Dimensional-Printed Membranes for Water Treatment10.1007/s11356-020-09452-2 ↗
92. Developing Better Ceramic Membranes for Water and Wastewater Treatment: Where Microstructure Integrates with Chemistry and Functionalities10.1016/j.cej.2021.130456 ↗
93. 3D-Printed Membranes with a Zwitterionic Hydrogel Coating for More Robust Oil-Water Separation10.1021/acs.iecr.0c04436 ↗
94. 3D-Printed Ceramic Structures with in Situ Grown Whiskers for Effective Oil/Water Separation10.1016/j.cej.2019.05.150 ↗
95. 3D Printed Self-Driven Thumb-Sized Motors for in-Situ Underwater Pollutant Remediation10.1038/srep41169 ↗
96. 3D-Printed Electromagnetic Actuator for Bionic Swimming Robot10.1007/s11665-021-05918-7 ↗
97. Mullen, A.D., Dichek, D.J.G., Lawrence, J.D., Meister, M.R., Bryson, F.E., Hurwitz, B.C., Spears, A.M., Washam, P.M., Quartini, E., and Schmidt, B.E. (2020, January 5–30). A Robust Compact Water Sampler for Underwater Robotic Vehicles. Proceedings of the 2020 Global Oceans 2020: Singapore—U.S. Gulf Coast, Biloxi, MS, USA.10.1109/IEEECONF38699.2020.9389327 ↗
98. Kirigami-Inspired 3D-Printable MXene Organohydrogels for Soft Electronics10.1002/adfm.202308487 ↗
99. Reconfigurable Design and Modeling of an Underwater Superlimb for Diving Assistance10.1002/aisy.202300245 ↗
100. Thermally Drawn Rechargeable Battery Fiber Enables Pervasive Power10.1016/j.mattod.2021.11.020 ↗