Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are taking a closer look at metal halide perovskites, which when combined with 3D printing, can enable a new breed of high-performance solar batteries. Metal halide perovskite materials have gained traction over the past decade due to their ability to convert solar light into electrical energy: a process known as photovoltaic conversion. Unlike many before it, the new study leverages advanced equipment at ORNL’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) to investigate the structure of metal halide perovskites. Crucially, the research also dives into how this structure interacts with phenomena such as ions in motion to actually generate electrical energy from light. The team believes its work could enable the design of more efficient and more robust solar-cell batteries and other photovoltaic devices, including 3D printed ones. “These materials have mostly been studied under static conditions,” explains Yongtao Liu, lead author of the… read more
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Industrial 3D printer manufacturers Carbon and Roboze have each launched a new additive manufacturing material for use with their respective 3D printing systems. Carbon’s new EPX 86FR offering is a photopolymer resin that combines flame retardance, functional toughness, high strength, and long-term stability. Designed for both functional prototypes and end-use parts, the resin is best suited to applications that require self-extinguishing characteristics. This includes components such as housings, brackets, and connectors for the automotive sector. On the other hand, Roboze’s latest innovation is Helios PEEK 2005 filament. The novel material is a ceramic fiber-reinforced PEEK composite boasting both high-strength and high-temperature stability. Designed specifically for high-performance metal replacement parts in critical industries such as aerospace, Helios PEEK 2005 offers a jack-of-all-trades blend of lightness, mechanical strength, and heat resistance. Flame retardant fan 3D printed using EPX 86FR. Photo via Carbon. Carbon’s EPX 86FR resin According to Carbon, the new EPX… read more
A team of researchers from Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Waseda University has trialed the use of soybean waste to reduce obesity in rats. The researchers found that fermented soybean waste, or okara, has the potential to improve fat metabolism and mitigate the effects of diet-induced obesity, while also addressing issues of food waste. Alongside the trial, the team successfully formulated okara into an eco-friendly 3D printable ink, which they say could pave the way for food 3D printing to improve food sustainability. “Our findings suggest that fermented okara could help mitigate the harmful effects of a high-fat diet, and could potentially be integrated in the diets of obese patients who find it difficult to make immediate lifestyle changes,” said Dr Ken Lee, Senior Lecturer at the NTU School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Addressing obesity with okara Okara is a major by-product of soymilk and tofu production,… read more
March 24, 2022 Leave a Comment There is often much talk of the potential benefits of using additive manufacturing to produce emergency housing for those in areas experiencing disaster, but seldom do we get to see these ideas manifest. Citizens of the city of Merritt, British Columia, have recently experienced floods in their region and have (unfortunately) been given the opportunity to test such solutions. Last year, heavy rains flooded the area displacing hundreds of residents from their homes and wreaking havoc on infrastructure. The entire city was evacuated pending the waters subsiding. When the water did finally back off, the slowly returning citizens were greeted by the devastation and the urgent need to rebuild. While the city is slowly being repaired, residents know that it could take months before their homes are made liveable again, and so sought out a means to provide temporary homes in a short period… read more
Metal 3D printing filament manufacturer The Virtual Foundry has released a new tungsten-based radiation shielding filament, Rapid 3DShield Tungsten. The material is the densest FFF filament the firm has manufactured to date, and is capable of providing radiation shielding benefits without the need for debinding or sintering. Containing 92-95 percent metal, the filament is suited to medical, security, non-destructive testing, and x-ray fluorescence radiation shielding applications. The Virtual Foundry’s mission The Virtual Foundry was established with the goal of making metal 3D printing accessible to everyone, and was one of the first to bring FDM desktop metal printing to the market with its proprietary Filamet filament. When combined with FDM, Filamet produces unique prints infused with flecks of metal elements which, once they have undergone a secondary processing technique involving a kiln and the firm’s “Black Magic Powder”, produces pure metal parts. Compatible with almost all existing FDM/FFF 3D printers,… read more
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