Magnum (the ice cream people) have commissioned Dutch designer Iris van Herpen to design and craft a dress inspired by their own vegan ice cream. That means using sustainable and non-animal based materials. The dress has been designed, and it was all made possible by use of 3D printed bioplastics made from algae and cocoa bean husks. You can see the dress, which was shown at this year’s Paris Fashion Week in the image below. Cocoa bean husks (Image credit: Magnum) The dress, according to press materials, features plantlike body embellishments which are copper-coated, draped and entwined with upcycled and organza, while the cocoa husk elements were 3D printed. What is interesting about this story is the use of cocoa husks in the plastic, and how algae is used rather than a traditional consumer plastic in the blend. Cocoa seeds grow in husks, and these husks form a huge amount… read more
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The London Borough of Hackney recently awarded £600,000 in grants via its Hackney Central Impact and Ideas Grant Fund, supporting local businesses pushing the circular economy. The program involved a total of 23 green enterprises, including Batch.Works, an East London design and manufacturing studio using 3D printing to upcycle plastic waste into useful products. Riding off the back of the initiative, the Hackney Council is now actively encouraging other local businesses to partake in discussions regarding the circular economy, all in a bid to cut waste, reuse materials, and slash emissions. Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor for Delivery, Inclusive Economy, and Regeneration, said, “It is all too easy to jettison some of our ambitions to reduce emissions, support the creation of a circular economy and play our collective part in transforming Hackney’s local economy and placing it at the forefront of the net zero carbon economy of tomorrow. Despite the challenges… read more
Researchers from the Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi are investigating the 3D printing of multifunctional optical fibers. Using polymer-based stereolithography (SLA) technology, the team 3D printed a set of optical fiber designs and integrated thermochromic micro-powder pigments, making them responsive to changes in temperature. At the same time, owing to the optical properties of the fibers, the researchers also managed to endow their designs with strain sensing capabilities. By exhibiting sensitivity to two stimuli simultaneously, the 2-in-1 optical fibers show great promise in biomedical and healthcare applications for remote temperature and strain sensing devices. The research paper writes, “This work may pave the way towards developing tunable thermochromic sensors that are cost-effective, reusable, and flexible.” The Khalifa University campus. Photo via Khalifa University of Science and Technology. Additive manufacturing for sensing applications The list of temperature sensor use cases is a long one, including medical diagnostic… read more
Hemp has historically been used for a wide range of applications spanning from rope production and textile manufacture, through to more modern day applications such as its usage in hemp-based plastics. Hemp fibers are very strong, you see, and they are also very cheap. It has also been used as a construction material named Hempcrete for quite some time (thousands of years in fact), and now Hempcrete is getting the AM treatment thanks to a team of researchers at Texas A&M University. “No officer, those are my building materials.” (Image credit: Texas A&M University) The researchers, funded by a $3.74 million grant from the Department of Energy, are now planning to 3d print buildings with millenia-old building material. Hempcrete consists of hemp particulate, lime and sand. The project is funded under the HESTIA program which aims to increase the total amount of carbon stored in buildings to create carbon sinks,… read more
Biomaterials developer Jellatech has announced a new milestone in the development of its 3D printable cell-based collagen bioink. After two years of development, the company has successfully engineered a full-length, triple-helical and functional collagen made from its own proprietary cell lines. “This is a major milestone for us and I am beyond proud and excited that we are already here,” said Stephanie Michelsen, CEO of Jellatech. “Being able to see our clean cell-based collagen with the naked eye – it brings happy tears.” Jellatech’s pure, white collagen in powder form. Photo via Jellatech. 3D printing with collagen Collagen is one of the most unique and abundant proteins in mammals found in connective tissue, skin, tendon, bone, and cartilage. It provides structural support to tissues and plays an important role in cellular processes like tissue repair, immune response, and cell migration. Collagen’s properties have led to it being widely used across… read more
- Shimizu Corporation Develops Spray-Based 3D Concrete Printing System for Large Structural Components
- Cobra Golf Expands 3D Printed Iron Lineup with MB and X Models
- Airtech and Alpha Additive Create 3,000 lb LFAM Structure
- Continuum Powders Launches Copper-Nickel Alloys for High-Performance, Sustainable AM
- MPI Develops XRD System for Industrial and Academic Research
