Researchers at the Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine have unveiled a novel cannabidiol (CBD) hollow suppository (CHS) produced via 3D printing. This innovative device aims to address the limitations of oral CBD formulations, which suffer from a high first-pass metabolism and low bioavailability. The CHS features an outer curved hollow shell packed with CBD and an inner spring, engineered to enable effective rectal administration without impeding normal bowel movements. Early preclinical tests suggest this approach may offer improved systemic delivery of CBD, potentially enhancing therapeutic outcomes for epilepsy. The innovative suppository combines advanced materials and precise 3D printing techniques. A thermoplastic urethane spring, manufactured using fused deposition modeling, serves as the internal support. This spring is then enclosed within a CBD-loaded outer shell, which is molded using a 3D printed metal form filled with a blend of polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and CBD. The hollow architecture of the CHS minimizes… read more
Alex
Design studio Mickus Projects has introduced a new 3D-printed chandelier made entirely from sustainable bioplastic materials. The Hedron Pendant features a honeycomb-shaped lampshade produced using polylactic acid derived from corn and sugar sources, containing no petroleum-based components. The design draws inspiration from Danish midcentury designer Poul Henningsen’s work with glare-free lighting. Image Credit: Mickus Projects The pendant’s distinctive hexagonal pattern wraps around a central stem housing an LED light source. Its structure consists of tapered cell walls specifically angled to create a double-bounce effect from the internal LED, resulting in soft, diffused illumination. The manufacturing process generates zero waste, as the 3D printing method requires no cutting or adhesives. Image Credit: Mickus Projects Ben Mickus, the studio’s founder and trained architect, developed the design following his time in Copenhagen studying Danish modern design. The natural world also influenced the chandelier’s form, incorporating elements reminiscent of honeycomb structures, turtle shells, and… read more
Renishaw, a leading engineering technology company, has partnered with Cookson Industrial, a UK-based specialist in precious metal additive manufacturing (AM), to reduce the costs associated with 3D printing platinum-rhodium. This collaboration leverages Renishaw’s RenAM 500S Flex AM system, enabling Cookson Industrial to produce high-temperature corrosion-resistant components with improved material efficiency. The advancement is particularly significant for industries such as glass fibre manufacturing, where the viability of using platinum rhodium in additive manufacturing has been enhanced. Cookson Industrial, a division of Cooksongold and a subsidiary of HM Precious Metals, brings over three decades of expertise in designing and producing precious metal alloys. Faced with platinum rhodium prices averaging £80,000 per kilo, minimizing material waste was essential to make production economically feasible. To address this challenge, Cookson Industrial selected Renishaw’s RenAM 500S Flex, a laser powder bed fusion system designed for research and development in additive manufacturing. RenAM 500S Flex installed at… read more
Researchers from Ritsumeikan University and the University of Science and Technology Beijing, have developed an advanced edge-highlighting method aimed at enhancing the clarity of visualized 3D scanned objects. Led by Professor Satoshi Tanaka and involving key team members Ms. Yuri Yamada, Dr. Satoshi Takatori, and Prof. Liang Li, the group’s innovative approach addresses common visualization issues by separately emphasizing sharp and soft edges in complex point cloud data, overcoming limitations seen in traditional methods. Published in Remote Sensing, these findings promise clearer representations of intricate 3D objects, particularly useful for preserving and studying cultural artifacts. Explaining the research’s broader significance, Prof. Tanaka notes, “Our 3D edge extraction approach is not merely an improvement but rather an extended technique that captures areas not covered by traditional methods. For archaeologists and historians, this tool opens new possibilities for specialized visual analysis of cultural heritage objects. For the general public, it offers a… read more
A recent study from Queen’s University Belfast has employed 3D printing to create cacao-based formulations infused with raw Greek honey and vitamin D3 (VitD3). The researchers aimed to improve supplement delivery by addressing taste and bioavailability issues. Their approach involved blending organic cacao with varying concentrations of honey and introducing VitD3, using specialized 3D printing technology to form precise, stable “printlets.” Three honey types—Vitex Honey, Lavender Honey, and Jerusalem Sage Honey—were each melted at 37 °C and incorporated into 100% organic cacao liquor. The team prepared two concentrations, 5% and 10% (w/w), to identify how varying honey ratios affected the resulting mixtures. Physicochemical tests indicated that the chocolate-honey formulations stayed liquid-like under ambient conditions and remained stable up to around 38 °C. Rheological analyses revealed that adding honey increased viscosity, enhancing the structural stability of the 3D printed shapes. Graphical abstract. Image via Science Direct. Lavender Honey at 10% concentration emerged as… read more
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