US Patent 11858039 Direct ink printing of multi-material composite structures

Methods for fabricating a multi-material composite structure are described. Methods for fabricating a multi-material composite structure include forming a first colloidal ink solution with a first material matrix, water, and a rheology modifying agent; forming a second colloidal ink solution with a second material matrix, water, and a rheology modifying agent; printing a first layer on a substrate using a first printing nozzle carrying the first colloidal ink solution; printing a second layer on top of the first layer using a second printing nozzle carrying the second colloidal ink solution; forming a 3D structure by printing a plurality of layers including the first layer and the second layer printed in an alternating pattern; and sintering the 3D structure to form the multi-material composite structure.