Mason Corey
Kingsway Regional High School
Swedesboro, NJ
AI-Powered Thermal Fingerprinting: Predicting PLA Tensile Strength Through Schlieren Imaging
Mason Corey, 17, of Swedesboro, created a way to predict the tensile strength of 3D-printed parts for his Regeneron Science Talent Search materials science project.
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Existing tools use factors like print speed, nozzle temperature and thickness of layers to predict the robustness of 3D printed parts, but they don’t consider the surroundings. Also, this testing usually destroys the item or requires expensive inspections.
In his project, Mason used an imaging technique called background-oriented schlieren, which captures the temperature gradient around the printed object. He used AI to analyze the thermal images and predict the tensile strength of the objects. Mason analyzed 30 specimens in six different environmental conditions. In his small dataset, Mason saw that the thermal environment seemed to affect the part’s mechanical properties. His method could lead to more reliable 3D printing, less material waste and reduced costs.
The child of Megan and Michael Corey, Mason attends Kingsway Regional High School, where he founded a summer physics workshop. He brings engineering into theater, designing modular sets and interactive props.
Beyond the Project
Mason is a co-founder of the SJ Youth Arts Association, a nonprofit for youth artists. It partners with local studios for an annual gala and has produced a dozen musicals and cabarets.
FUN FACTS: Mason is a professional actor. On stage, he played Bruce in Matilda the Musical and Friedrich von Trapp in The Sound of Music. He’s been in a movie too, credited as “Boy on Bike” in Hideout.
