Additively manufactured monolithic structures for containing and
directing flows of fluids are described herein, which can achieve high
contact area between fluids and solids while maintaining uniform flow
conditions and requiring low applied pressures to yield desired flow
rates, for use in heat exchangers, chromatography columns, catalytic
converters, etc. An exemplary monolithic structure comprises a plurality
of tiled unit cells having a same shape, where the tiled unit cells are
integrally formed as a single component. The tiled unit cells are
arranged to define one or more interior regions of fluid flow, one or
more inlets to each interior region of fluid flow, and one or more
outlets to each interior region of fluid flow. The structures and methods
of tiling herein are suited to additive manufacturing technologies such
as projection stereolithography, multiphoton lithography, etc.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No.
DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National
Nuclear Security Administration. The U.S. Government has certain rights
in the invention.