Material-structure-performance integrated laser-metal additive manufacturing

Laser-metal additive manufacturing capabilities have advanced from single-material printing to multimaterial/multifunctional design and manufacturing. Material-structure-performance integrated additive manufacturing (MSPI-AM) represents a path toward the integral manufacturing of end-use components with innovative structures and multimaterial layouts to meet the increasing demand from industries such as aviation, aerospace, automobile manufacturing, and energy production. We highlight two methodological ideas for MSPI-AM-"the right materials printed in the right positions" and "unique structures printed for unique functions"-to realize major improvements in performance and function. We establish how cross-scale mechanisms to coordinate nano/microscale material development, mesoscale process monitoring, and macroscale structure and performance control can be used proactively to achieve high performance with multifunctionality. MSPI-AM exemplifies the revolution of design and manufacturing strategies for AM and its technological enhancement and sustainable development.