Researchers from Texas A&M University have created a new class of 3D printable inks that are not only conductive, but are also extremely biocompatible as well. This technology could help develop the next generation of wearable and implantable biomedical devices, and could offer those engineers a new tool in their tool belt. Flexible electronics have been around for decades now and the biomedical field has had a large interest in them since their conception. Their flexible wiring and biocompatibility are an ideal combination for a variety of devices ranging from sweat receptors to nerve cuffs and everything in between. However, when designing these types of devices there has often been a trade off between conductivity and biocompatibility. Neither extreme is ideal, and something needed to change in order to widen the capabilities of biomedical devices. Enter Texas A&M. The team from the Gaharwar Laboratory also saw this void in the… read more
Alex
Resin printing system manufacturer Onulis has announced the launch of the WRAPCure, a dual-function device that automatically post-cures Digital Light Processing (DLP) printed parts and repurposes waste resin. Onulis’ original WRAP product line automatically converts used UV resin into fully-cured plastic stock, resulting in materials that can be CNC machined, and are safe for disposal as standard household waste. As such, the machine is designed to offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to hazardous waste disposal methods. The new WRAPCure retains all of the sustainable waste printing features of the WRAP, but adds the ability for users to post-cure DLP parts as well. Onulis’ WRAPCure in DLP post-cure mode. Photo via Onulis. Automating the curing workflow All DLP 3D printed parts must be post-cured to ensure desired mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy. However, when it comes to post-curing, Onulis says current options still “fall short” of user needs, hence it has… read more
Researchers at Japan’s RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) have used 3D printing to create a device which transforms cockroaches into remote control cyborgs. 3D printed from an elastic polymer that allows it to follow the curved surface of the insect’s thorax, the team’s tiny backpack enables the carrying of a locomotion control module and solar cell. These, in turn, provide users with a means of electrically stimulating a cockroach’s cercus to issue navigational commands, and preventing it from breaking free by keeping its battery charged via the sun. “Keeping the battery adequately charged is fundamental – nobody wants a suddenly out-of-control team of cyborg cockroaches roaming around,” says the RIKEN scientific research institute’s Masataka Sasabe. “While it’s possible to build docking stations for recharging the battery, the need to return and recharge could disrupt time-sensitive missions. Therefore, the best solution is to include an onboard solar cell that… read more
Many great artists have gone through rough financial times historically, and on occasion, artists have been forced to paint over previous works in order to save on materials. This was the case with Vincent van Gogh, who 135 years ago, had decided to paint over a previous work with a picture of some flowers. The picture hidden beneath the flowers was of two wrestlers, and was known to have existed historically via the artist’s own writings. A team of researchers with some experience of using AI and 3D printing to restore such lost masterpieces has turned their attention to the Van Gogh painting and has successfully replicated some approximations of the original. We say “approximation” because there is no real point of reference to confirm, but more on that later. You can see the restored image below. “The Two Wrestlers” – artwork restored with 3D printing (Image credit: UCL) The… read more
Cornell University and Lithoz win grant to develop new 3D printing ceramic for clean energy reactors
Cornell University, alongside its start-up Dimensional Energy and Lithoz, has been awarded a grant to develop novel ceramics that could be used to 3D print parts of clean energy reactors. Having raised $50,000 in funding, researchers at the firms are now aiming to come up with a new type of ceramic that’s better able to withstand the high temperatures of thermocatalytic reactors in operation. Using computer modeling and 3D printing, the team say it could be possible to layer the resulting material into structures, shaped specifically to improve both resilience and reactor CO2 conversion rates. “Excellent thermal properties and corrosion resistance make ceramics attractive for these reactors, but significant design constraints limit their actual performance,” said Sadaf Sobhani, the Cornell University Assistant Professor leading the program. “The freedom of design and choice of materials enabled by ceramic additive manufacturing will narrow the theory-performance gap to hit desired milestones.” Dimensional Energy… read more
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