The NSO at PennDesign

Nonlinear Fabrication
Funded by Bentley Systems

The research project extends two separate lines of investigation: Nonlinear Fabrication (architecture) & Nonlinear Biosynthesis (medicine):

1. Nonlinear Fabrication

The first wave of digital fabrication technologies has been dominated by two geometric paradigms that are now reaching maturity: 1. translation of 3d form into developable surfaces that are unrolled flat as 2d templates (laser and waterjet cutting technologies), 2. translation of 3d form into surfaces of G1 and higher continuities with the elimination of undercuts for moldmaking (CNC milling technologies). In both cases, the important technical problems have revolved around the problem of breaking up a continuous model into discrete elements (panelization). The fabrication scenarios have been limited by the geometric assumptions that have been largely accepted due to the physical limitations of fabrication technologies—impacting the expressive potentials of architectural form. What would happen if a third geometric paradigm enters into digital fabrication? Direct 3d printing of building elements.

3d printing follows the geometric paradigm of laminated 2d microsections that build up and fuse to produce 3d form. Up to now, the technology has primarily been used for diagnostic and verification purposes—to build test models. As current research in 3d printing is now reaching the early stages of maturation, the possibility of 3d printing at large scales and in resilient materials (carbon fiber, polymer resins, metallic infusions) is becoming a reality and is already being tested at the high end of production (Formula One racing and aerospace). When it becomes feasible to ‘print’ building elements at one to one scale, what changes need to be brought to the conceptual framework of architectural production? What changes need to be brought to computational platforms to support the possible scenarios?

2. Nonlinear Biosynthesis

Nonlinear biosynthesis studies the fundamental bio-architectural processes in living systems through the generation of cellular constructive models. These models will be synthesized and tested through experimental fabrication techniques in 3-D printing. Throughout fetal development, endothelial cells that will ultimately form the lining of all blood vessels begin to communicate with one another to form a non-linear, 3-D, interconnecting network: these networks ultimately give rise to blood vessels that supply tissues with oxygen and nutrients. Understanding this type of networking, which results in a complex, branched and tiled structures, represents a key step in deciphering how embryos form. In addition, since endothelial cell networking also supplies tumors with nutrients and oxygen to aid in their expansion and dissemination throughout the body, knowledge in this arena may also have major implications in the future management of cancer. It is a fact that cell and tissue architecture, specified by surrounding matrix, can dominate over the genome. The profound influences that environmental factors exert in governing cell behavior within tissues will be explored. The question as to whether knowledge of cellular architecture can be used to heal is to be investigated.

Currently, metrics for imaging and quantifying endothelial cell networking are lacking, yet this represents a crucial step in understanding development and disease. As part of this proposal, we will measure and image networking in 3-D cultures of endothelial cells that have been placed in an ex vivo tissue microenvironment that promotes this mode of behavior. Closer inspection of networks will be achieved using laser confocal microscopy and 3-D printing. Transformation of networks into alternate structures, which can be achieved both in silico and through fabrication, is to be implemented using Generative Components software and 3-D printing. Collectively, these approaches are to provide the biologist with new clues regarding the process of networking, and will generate formerly unseen structures for research and development in architectural design and structural engineering.