3D Printing
3D printing, or additive manufacturing, has advanced rapidly to enable the production of everything from tiny screws to engine components to entire houses ... and it's only just getting started. Keep up with the latest developments here.
Latest News
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MechSense 3D-prints wireless rotational sensors right into moving parts
March 16, 2023It's certainly handy to know how fast gears or wheels are spinning, but equipping them with external sensors may affect their performance. That's why scientists have devised a method of 3D-printing wireless sensors right into the things. -
Bacteria used to create bone-like 3D-printed composite material
February 23, 2023Calcium carbonate is an impressive material, in that it combines strength, light weight and porosity. Scientists have devised a new bacteria-based method of 3D-printing the substance, for uses such as bone repair and coral reef restoration. -
"Acoustic holograms" quickly assemble objects from particles or cells
February 12, 2023Scientists have created “acoustic holograms” that can assemble matter into 3D objects, using just sound. The technique works with various types of particles and even living cells, allowing for a new kind of 3D printing that’s fast and contact-free. -
Twisty multi-material filaments could serve as artificial muscles
January 20, 2023While multi-material 3D printers do already exist, the filament they extrude is all one material at any one point in the printing process. A new system produces actual multi-material filaments, however, and they boast a very useful helical design. -
Metal/polymer composite makes for stronger 3D-printed nanostructures
December 30, 20223D printing technology is used not only to build things as large as houses, but also as small as snowflakes. A new material allows the latter to be much stronger than ever before, and to be printed considerably faster. -
3D-printed home made from forest products is 100% recyclable
November 23, 2022A recently finished 3D-printed home has furthered the eco-credentials of the construction method through the use of 100% natural materials, which allows it to be fully recycled at the end of its life. -
New process helps 3D-printed metal components take the heat
November 16, 2022While 3D printing technology does allow complex metal parts to be produced efficiently, such items often deform when stressed and heated. That may soon no longer be the case, however, thanks to a new technique developed at MIT. -
interiqr tech prints edible, informational QR codes right into foods
October 17, 2022Scientists have developed a new method of providing information on 3D-printed foods, by printing a QR code within the food itself. Doing so doesn't affect the taste or outward appearance of the food, nor does it require the use of any labels. -
Multi-nozzle MF3 tech could revolutionize 3D printing
August 04, 2022Although 3D printing technology continues to improve, it's still limited by relatively long print times and low resolution. A new technology could help, by simultaneously utilizing multiple small print nozzles instead of a single big one. -
Hasbro will soon put your 3D-printed face on an action figure's body
July 14, 2022When you played with action figures, you probably tried picturing yourself having the same adventures they were. Well, doing so is about to become easier, as Hasbro is offering to a put a 3D-printed miniature copy of your face on one of its figures. -
New type of 3D printing uses sound waves to build up objects
May 31, 20223D printing typically involves depositing layers of molten plastic, laser-melting powdered metal, or using UV light to harden gelatinous resin. A new technique takes yet another approach, however, by utilizing sound waves. -
EPFL's super-fast 3D-printing technique makes resin objects in seconds
May 26, 2022Researchers at EPFL have demonstrated a light-based 3D-printing method that's about 30 times faster than conventional additive manufacturing, creating objects in 20 seconds that would normally take more like 10 minutes thanks to photocurable resins. -
Computer system optimizes 3D printer performance, based on the job
May 19, 2022When most people think of 3D printing, they think of fused deposition modelling, wherein an object is built up in successive layers of molten plastic. A new computer system is able to tweak that process, in order to build structurally stronger items. -
Discarded glass used to replace sand in 3D-printable concrete
April 26, 2022Concrete is a popular building material, enough so that one of its key ingredients – sand – is in short supply. Scientists are thus now exploring the possibility of replacing that sand with glass waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. -
Physicists deploy 3D printing in pursuit of world's crackliest chocolate
April 21, 2022A team of Dutch scientists has taken on the grueling task of designing the perfect piece of chocolate, using novel 3D printing techniques to create designs that shatter in the most pleasurable way when bitten. Clearly, extensive testing is required.
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