Magnifying The Micro-Scale: Thermographicenabled Toolpath Engineering For Water Retention In Robotic Clay-3d-Printed Bioreceptive Façade

Porous Clay is ideal for enhancing the bioreceptivity of facades due to its water retention and diffusion properties. Meanwhile, 3D printing allows for precise, scaffold-free fabrication of complex and highly performative façade structures. The application of clay-3D-printed-façades can help address the loss of urban biodiversity and public health issues caused by disconnection with diverse microbiomes. This research investigates the correlation between clay 3D printing parameters and microbial adhesion and growth, particularly focusing on tracking water behavior on façade surfaces. Furthermore, we explored controllable micro-habitats for microbiomes through additive manufacturing. The performance of clay 3D printing has been improved through toolpath engineering. Supported by digital simulation and thermographic data, the experiment outcomes elucidate the benefits and limitations of creating controllable micro-habitats for microbiomes through parametrically modelled robotic clay 3D printing toolpaths. The design and fabrication of prototypes with various bioreceptive features demonstrate the potential applications of our method in real-world contexts.