解:作$OM \perp AB$于点$M,$连接$OA。$
因为$CD$为$\odot O$的直径,$DE = 9\ \text{cm},$$CE = 3\ \text{cm},$所以直径$CD=DE + CE=9 + 3=12\ \text{cm},$半径$OA=\frac{1}{2}CD = 6\ \text{cm}。$
又因为$OD = OA=6\ \text{cm},$所以$OE=DE - OD=9 - 6=3\ \text{cm}。$
在直角$\triangle OEM$中,$\angle CEB = 45^\circ,$则$\angle OEM=45^\circ,$所以$OM = OE \cdot \sin45^\circ=3\times\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}=\frac{3\sqrt{2}}{2}\ \text{cm}。$
在直角$\triangle OAM$中,根据勾股定理得:$AM=\sqrt{OA^2 - OM^2}=\sqrt{6^2 - (\frac{3\sqrt{2}}{2})^2}=\sqrt{36 - \frac{9\times2}{4}}=\sqrt{36 - \frac{9}{2}}=\sqrt{\frac{72 - 9}{2}}=\sqrt{\frac{63}{2}}=\frac{3\sqrt{14}}{2}\ \text{cm}。$
因为$OM \perp AB,$由垂径定理可知$AB = 2AM,$所以$AB=2\times\frac{3\sqrt{14}}{2}=3\sqrt{14}\ \text{cm}。$
答:弦$AB$的长为$3\sqrt{14}\ \text{cm}。$