A method for manufacturing a mold includes providing first information regarding a location of a shrinkage hole generated during hardening of a molten metal in a shell mold. Second information regarding a change in the location of the shrinkage hole in response to adjustment of a heat transfer rate of the shell mold is obtained. The heat transfer rate of the shell mold is adjusted to shift the shrinkage hole to a predetermined location.

In example implementations, a method for extracting layers of build material into a carrier. The method includes providing a layer of build material onto a bed. Portions of the layer of build material on the bed are digitally printed with a liquid functional material (LFM). The method repeats providing the layer of build material and digitally printing without applying energy to the LFM to define a structure in layers of build material on the bed. The layers of build material are extracted into a carrier and the carrier is removed.

In example implementations, a method for extracting layers of build material into a carrier. The method includes providing a layer of build material onto a bed. Portions of the layer of build material on the bed are digitally printed with a liquid functional material (LFM). The method repeats providing the layer of build material and digitally printing without applying energy to the LFM to define a structure in layers of build material on the bed. The layers of build material are extracted into a carrier and the carrier is removed.

A metal matrix composite comprises and/or consists of a uniform distribution of calcined ceramic particles having an average particle size of between 0.30 and 0.99 microns and a metal or alloy uniformly distributed with the ceramic particles and wherein the ceramic particles include oxides of two separate metals selected from the group consisting of Al, Li, Be, Pb, Fe, Ag, Au, Sn, Mg, Ti, Cu, and Zn, and in which said ceramic particles comprise at least 15 volume percent of the metal matrix sintered together and wherein said metal-matrix being machinable with a high speed steel (HSS) bit for greater than about one minute without excessive wear to the bit.

A metal matrix composite comprises and/or consists of a uniform distribution of calcined ceramic particles having an average particle size of between 0.30 and 0.99 microns and a metal or alloy uniformly distributed with the ceramic particles and wherein the ceramic particles include oxides of two separate metals selected from the group consisting of Al, Li, Be, Pb, Fe, Ag, Au, Sn, Mg, Ti, Cu, and Zn, and in which said ceramic particles comprise at least 15 volume percent of the metal matrix sintered together and wherein said metal-matrix being machinable with a high speed steel (HSS) bit for greater than about one minute without excessive wear to the bit.

Systems and method of constructing a 4D-printed ceramic object, the method including extruding inks including particles and polymeric ceramic precursors through a nozzle to deposit the inks to form a first elastic structure and a second elastic structure, subjecting the first elastic structure to a tensile stress along at least one axis, attaching the second elastic structure to the first elastic structure, releasing the application of the tensile stress from the first elastic structure to allow the first elastic structure and second elastic structure to form a 4D-printed elastomeric object, and converting the 4D-printed elastomeric object into the 4D-printed ceramic object.

A method of manufacturing a composition with hierarchical nanochemical bonding includes making a powder of one or more oxygen containing materials; mixing the powder either with a water solution of organic and/or inorganic acid to form an acidic slurry, or with water to form a hydrated basic slurry; and curing the slurry to form a solid. The powder comprises nanoscale particles, or microscale particles, or a mixture of nanoscale particles and microscale particles.

A method of manufacturing a composition with hierarchical nanochemical bonding includes making a powder of one or more oxygen containing materials; mixing the powder either with a water solution of organic and/or inorganic acid to form an acidic slurry, or with water to form a hydrated basic slurry; and curing the slurry to form a solid. The powder comprises nanoscale particles, or microscale particles, or a mixture of nanoscale particles and microscale particles.

In example implementations, a method for extracting layers of build material into a carrier. The method includes providing a layer of build material onto a bed. Portions of the layer of build material on the bed are digitally printed with a liquid functional material (LFM). The method repeats providing the layer of build material and digitally printing without applying energy to the LFM to define a structure in layers of build material on the bed. The layers of build material are extracted into a carrier and the carrier is removed.

In example implementations, a method for extracting layers of build material into a carrier. The method includes providing a layer of build material onto a bed. Portions of the layer of build material on the bed are digitally printed with a liquid functional material (LFM). The method repeats providing the layer of build material and digitally printing without applying energy to the LFM to define a structure in layers of build material on the bed. The layers of build material are extracted into a carrier and the carrier is removed.