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Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new 3D printing method that uses a polymer ink and salt water solution to create solid structures. Detailed in Nature Communications, the work is claimed to have the potential to make materials manufacturing more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The process uses PNIPAM (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) ink. When this…

Building with 3D printers has matured rapidly in recent years, as advances in technology and material science allow for grander and more ambitious designs. The potential uses are also increasingly varied, from affordable housing to a planned NASA base on the Moon. Most 3D-printed structures are built using concrete or other pourable, cementitious substances that are cheap,…

When it comes to property, $20,000 doesn’t usually get you much. That’s not the case with Azure Printed Homes, which offers not only cost-effective but also sustainable housing as the world’s first robotically 3D-printed homes made using recycled plastic. The Los Angeles-based start-up was founded by British engineer Ross Maguire and real-estate developer Gene Eidelman in 2019 to offer a sustainable,…

We have grown up in an environment where plastic, once used, is considered waste. This burden has prevented generations of consumers and industries from capturing the economic benefits of plastic. With Additive Manufacturing and circular economy at the top of Europe’s agenda, waste that was considered a burden before has now turned into gold. The only…

A new type of recyclable resin, made from biosourced materials, has been designed for use in 3D printing applications. In a study, published today in Nature, researchers from the University of Birmingham showed that high-resolution, 3D printed structures can be manufactured from an entirely bio-sourced feedstock. Once they have reached the end of their useful life, the products…

A groundbreaking study reveals the potential of a PHB and cellulose composite for 3D printing, while TECNALIA's SuperBark initiative aims to create sustainable adhesives and coatings with 95% bio-based content. Together, these advancements are revolutionizing manufacturing and promoting circular economies. In an era where sustainability is not just a choice but a necessity, a groundbreaking study…

Sustainable materials are increasingly in the spotlight as both companies and research teams try to find more eco-friendly alternatives for different industries. One of the sectors that places most emphasis on this quest for sustainability is the construction industry. This is because the emissions of this sector alone are some of the highest worldwide. Annually, the construction…

Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the production landscape, enabling unprecedented levels of customization and complex design. However, with its rise, the focus on sustainability within AM has become essential. This article aims to comprehensively explore sustainability in 3D printing, addressing opportunities, challenges, and potential tools for measuring sustainability within the industry. Opportunities for AM in Sustainability…

3D printing has been touted for its ability to re-shore production and use less overall feedstock than conventional techniques. Discussed less frequently is the technology’s ability to repurpose materials. One 3D printing startup keenly aware of this fact just came out of stealth and is in talks with investors to scale up its operations. But Marvel Labs doesn’t…

FRIBOURG, Switzerland—Volvo Cars is using ampliTex flax fiber composites from Swiss company Bcomp to make optional trim for the dashboard and doors of the new EX30 compact electric SUV. It is the first production vehicle to use the new, lightweight material. While Bcomp’s natural fiber composites have been used in motorsport applications, such as Formula 1,…