Masters Dissertation Topic Needed (Metal Additive Manufacturing?)

[insanemembrane]

Hi,

I've recently started a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. I've never taken on a research project before and I've been recommended to look into the area of Metal Additive Manufacturing as it's an area that's quickly developing.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a topic/title that I could use for dissertation in this area? The reason why I am asking is because the deadline is fastly approaching and I've numerous other assignments due also. I know my college has normal 3D prototyping machines but not the expensive kind.

I understand that one of the main challenges with the technology is understanding the long term behaviour of materials/components made from MAM.

Any advice would be grately appreciated.

 

[Bobbywhy]

I cannot offer any advice on choosing a topic or title for your dissertation. I can offer, however, a few websites for your perusal. You may discover some aspect of Metal Additive Manufacturing that interests you enough to do a research project on that. Long-term behaviors are critical in some applications, as NASA would not want some part to disintegrate or degrade in the vacuum of space.

http://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/Onderzoek/Ceramics/publicaties-1/2010/2010no19.pdf
http://www.optomec.com/Additive-Manufacturing-Technology/Laser-Additive-Manufacturing
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/...-the-final-frontier-of-additive-manufacturing
http://www.shapeways.com/about/how_does_it_work?li=nav

 

[boneh3ad]

Shouldn't this be a question for you advisor?

 

[insanemembrane]

@Bobbywhy: Many thanks for the helpful links

@Boneh3ad: I've been recommended by my supervisor to go off and try identify a research topic myself within the field with the correct scope for a one year masters project.

I might end up taking a project in another area because I'm really not all that fussy what area I do it in, I'm more concerned about just picking one I can actually finish and won't be a nightmare for me all year long! I will continue to research into this area anyway for the time being.