Reteplaasi

Reteplaasi is a term used in the field of advanced materials science to describe a biomimetic lattice plate designed for high strength and efficient heat or fluid transport. The name combines a root meaning net or network with a suffix that evokes a plate or slab. In practice, a reteplaasi is a thin sheet that incorporates a three-dimensional, interconnected lattice within its interior, creating a net-like solid with controlled porosity.

Structure and properties: The plate consists of a relatively stiff matrix—ceramic or polymer—with a reticular core. The lattice geometry is optimized to maximize stiffness-to-weight ratio while enabling through-porosity that supports cooling, filtration, or tissue integration. Porosity typically ranges from 30 to 70 percent, with pore sizes from tens of micrometers to a few millimeters, depending on application. Mechanical behavior is anisotropic and governed by lattice topology.

Manufacturing: Reteplaasi parts are typically produced by additive manufacturing techniques such as laser powder bed fusion, selective laser sintering, or binder jetting, often followed by heat treatment or infiltration to tailor properties.

Applications and status: Proposed for aerospace heat exchangers, automotive thermal management, biomedical implants with bone in-growth, and lightweight structural components. The approach is experimental but has progressed in research settings, with prototypes demonstrated in laboratory tests.

History: The concept emerged in the early 2020s in materials science literature as a biomimetic alternative to solid plates. See also lattice structures, additive manufacturing, and biomimicry.