<P> Magnetically - assisted slip casting is a manufacturing technique that uses anisotropic stiff nanoparticle platelets in a ceramic, metal or polymer functional matrix to produce layered objects that can mimic natural objects such as nacre . Each layer of platelets is oriented in a different direction, giving the resulting object greater strength . The inventors claimed that the process is 10x faster than commercial 3D printing . The magnetisation and orientation of the ceramic platelets has been patented . </P> <P> The technique involves pouring a suspension of magnetized ceramic micro-plates . Pores in the plaster mold absorb the liquid from the suspension, solidifying the material from the outside in . The particles are subjected to a strong magnetic field as they solidify that causes them to align in one direction . The field's orientation is changed at regular intervals, moving the plates still in suspension, without disturbing already - solidified plates . By varying the composition of the suspension and the direction of the platelets, a continuous process can produce multiple layers with differing material properties in a single object . The resulting objects can closely imitate their natural models . </P> <P> Researchers produced an artificial tooth whose microstructure mimicked that of a real tooth . The outer layers, corresponding to enamel, were hard and structurally complex . The outer layers contained glass nanoparticles and aluminium oxide plates were aligned perpendicular to the surface . After the outer layers hardened, a second suspension was poured . It contained no glass, and the plates were aligned horizontally to the surface of the tooth . These deeper layers were tougher, resembling dentine . The tooth was then cooked at 1,600 degrees to compact and harden the material--a process known as sintering . The last step involved filling remaining pores with a synthetic monomer used in dentistry, which polymerizes after treatment . Hardness and durability approximated that of both the enamel and dentine of a tooth . </P>

Magnetically assisted slip casting of bioinspired heterogeneous composites