3D Printing Research

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 

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 

A recent study conducted by Henkel’s Loctite 3D Printing team has revealed that UV curing resins can compete with established engineering thermoplastics in many durability conditions relevant for industrial applications.  According to Henkel, additive manufacturing has transformed how functional plastic parts can be produced, providing superior design flexibility, complexity, and speed in production. As the range of materials expands, particularly UV curing resins, a growing need exists to evaluate their performance compared to traditional thermoplastics.  Based on frequent customer requests, Loctite 3D Printing conducted a study that compared their UV curing resins Loctite® 3D 3843 BK and Loctite® 3D IND403 BK with two traditional thermoplastics used for injection molding, namely PA6 and POM.  In this study the mechanical properties of the 3D printed samples were compared with the Injection molded samples. The individual performances were assessed after following an extensive series of durability tests, like accelerated weathering, accelerated heat ageing,…    read more 

The Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI), a non-profit arm of safety research specialist Underwriters Laboratories, has found that 3D printing emissions can be damaging to human health, even in small quantities.  In a recent CIRI toxicity study, researchers found that exposure to the fumes created when printing ABS or PLA filaments, can “contribute to airway cellular injury and inflammation.” Based on their research, the scientists say that operating extrusion 3D printers from a safe distance, as well as ventilation and filtration mitigation strategies, should be discussed in the safety guidance around these machines.  Researchers working at Underwriters Laboratories’ CIRI institute. Photo via Underwriters Laboratories. Getting to the bottom of emissions  According to the researchers behind the paper, Dr. Christa Wright, now formerly of Georgia State University, and CIRI graduate student Jennifer Jeon, their study was prompted by concerns over the harmfulness of fumes emitted by certain printers.  Specifically, as FFF…    read more 

The University of Amsterdam (UVA) has agreed to license a hybrid stereolithography (SLA) technology to Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printer manufacturer atum3D. Developed at the university’s Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, this hybrid SLA process combines photo and stereolithography to enable the production of parts with high-resolution features at scale. Once commercialized, the UVA says the technology could be used to address medical R&D needs, such as the creation of tissue scaffolds or microfluidic devices with clinical research applications.  The University of Amsterdam campus. Photo via the UVA. atum3D’s DLP 3D printing portfolio  Based in the city of Gouda in the Netherlands, atum3D specializes in the development of DLP technologies designed to address serial manufacturing applications. The firm’s main offering revolves around the DLP Station 5-405, DLP Station 5-365 EXZ and DLP Station 5-405 EXZ, 3D printers with build volumes up to 192 x 108 x 450…    read more