Add BrightSurf on Google Email

3D printing polymers

Scientists have created a novel 3D-printable material, bottlebrush polymers, which exhibits unusual softness and elasticity resembling human tissue. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-sensitivity electronic devices and biomimetic tissue with improved stability.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 8, 2021

3D-printed bioresorbable airway stent

A team of ETH Zurich researchers has developed a 3D-printed bioresorbable airway stent that can be customized to a patient's anatomy. The stents, made from a specially designed resin, are biocompatible and gradually dissolve after implantation.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 3, 2021

Even machines need their greens

A team of engineers has created a new material by infusing 3D printer ink with chloroplasts from spinach. This living material can be strengthened up to six times its original strength through photosynthesis and exhibits self-repairing properties.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 27, 2021

Mighty morphing 3D printing

Researchers at UMD developed a morphing nozzle to control fiber orientation during composite additive manufacturing, enabling the creation of materials with on-demand properties. This innovation could lead to new biomedical and defense applications for 3D printed fiber-filled composites.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateJan 6, 2021

3D printers may be toxic for humans

Research studies have found that 3D printer emissions can cause moderate toxicity in human lung cells and minimal toxicity in rats. The emitted particles can affect indoor air quality and public health, particularly for children who are more susceptible to the effects of these emissions.

A standout superalloy

Researchers developed a new class of high-strength, defect-resistant superalloys that can be 3D-printed with minimal material waste. The nickel-based alloys overcome cracking issues in traditional AM processes, making them suitable for complex one-off components in extreme environments.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2020

3D printing the first ever biomimetic tongue surface

Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a biomimetic tongue surface using 3D printing, replicating the complex texture and mechanical properties of a human tongue. The new technology enables testing of oral processing properties of food, nutritional technologies, and pharmaceuticals without relying on human trials.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 26, 2020

Researchers 3D print tiny multicolor microstructures

The new method enables precision fabrication of optical components and multimaterial structures, eliminating assembling processes. It allows the production of devices with high precision and low cost, and could aid in the miniaturization of optical devices used for medical treatments and diagnoses.

SourceOptica·JournalOptical Materials Express·DateSep 16, 2020

Aerogel - the micro structural material of the future

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have successfully produced stable, well-shaped microstructures from silica aerogel using a 3D printer. The printed structures exhibit excellent thermal insulation properties, making them ideal for thermally insulating small electronic components and shie...

Machine learning reveals vulnerabilities in 3D-printed carbon-fiber composites

A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering used machine learning to reverse-engineer 3D-printed composite parts, demonstrating a method to capture fiber orientation with high accuracy. The study highlights the potential risks of intellectual property theft in 3D printing and emphasizes the need for secure toolpaths.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalComposites Science and Technology·DateJul 6, 2020

Laser-welded sugar: Sweet way to 3D-print blood vessels

Researchers at Rice University have successfully created complex blood vessel networks using laser-welded sugar templates, paving the way for the creation of large tissue models. The technique enables the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells throughout the body, making it a promising approach for future therapeutic applications.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJun 29, 2020

Like oil and water

A new 3D-printed membrane designed by Pitt ChemE professor Lei Li has the potential to efficiently separate oil and water. The membrane's unique surface topography and pore size will enable effective separation of oil-water emulsions, converting oily wastewater into purified water.