Category: 3D Printer

A research team at Uppsala University has developed an innovative method to produce three-dimensional motor nerve cell organoids using a patient’s own skin cells. This advancement aims to facilitate realistic laboratory testing of new therapeutic compounds targeting neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The findings were published in the International Journal of Bioprinting.

ALS progressively damages motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and eventual respiratory failure. Direct testing on the spinal cord of affected individuals is not feasible due to medical limitations. To address this, the team led by Elena Kozlova created an in-vitro model. Skin-derived cells were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells, differentiated into motor neuron precursors, and embedded in a gelatinous hydrogel. These were then assembled layer by layer using 3D printing technology.

Northumbria University in Newcastle has secured more than €250,000 through the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) to support cutting-edge research into sustainable materials for 3D printing in the construction sector. The project centers on developing geopolymer building materials, which replace conventional cement with alternative activators derived from industrial and agricultural waste.

The initiative is led by Associate Professor Keerthan Poologanathan from the Department of Civil Engineering, with support from Dr. Vikki Edmondson and Dr. Mohammadali Rezazadeh. The core scientific research will be conducted by Dr. Jyotirmoy Mishra, who joins Northumbria University as part of the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship.

An interdisciplinary team from the University of Bristol has successfully tested a nearly full-scale 3D-printed concrete structure under realistic earthquake conditions, marking a significant milestone in evaluating the seismic performance of additively manufactured construction elements.

The test was conducted using the UK’s largest vibration platform, capable of simulating ground movements with a payload of up to 50 tons. This experiment aimed to better understand how 3D-printed concrete behaves under seismic loads—an area that has remained largely unexplored until now.

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a cutting-edge computational platform that can rapidly design and 3D print complex vascular networks—an essential step toward building functional bioprinted organs. Published in Science on June 12, the platform generates vascular structures that resemble natural human blood vessel networks up to 200 times faster than previous methods.

This innovation tackles a major bottleneck in tissue engineering: creating vascular systems capable of delivering oxygen and nutrients to every cell within a bioprinted organ. Without this critical network, scaling up tissue constructs to full organ size has remained out of reach.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is spearheading an ambitious initiative called Rubble to Rockets, aimed at transforming scrap metal and mixed alloys into high-performance components using additive manufacturing. The project integrates machine learning to identify unknown materials and analyze how they interact when melted and 3D printed, making it possible to manufacture reliable parts in resource-constrained environments. The project is expected to be completed by November 2027.

Led by Associate Professor Danielle Cote, the research focuses on creating high-quality components from unpredictable source materials. The team will employ artificial intelligence developed by a WPI PhD student to predict material behavior across a range of compositions. This AI system is designed to automate and optimize the material characterization process, ensuring structural integrity and performance while accelerating production timelines.

A research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has introduced a novel 3D printing method that significantly simplifies post-processing and reduces material waste. The innovation centers around a custom-formulated photopolymer resin whose behavior changes depending on the light wavelength used during printing. With this approach, both durable parts and easily removable support structures can be printed in a single pass.

The technique builds on vat photopolymerization, a method where layers of liquid resin are cured using specific light patterns. Traditionally, support structures made of the same resin are printed along with the object and must be carefully removed and discarded afterward. MIT’s new system avoids this waste by using UV light to cure strong, permanent parts while using visible light to create temporary support structures that dissolve easily after printing.

MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) is leading a new chapter in 3D printing—one where printed objects don’t just look good, but also feel realistic, move like living organisms, and even carry built-in electronics. These advances aren’t happening in isolation; they’re part of a larger shift toward smarter, more interactive, and more sustainable design and manufacturing.

In recent years, CSAIL has unveiled a range of projects that blend artificial intelligence, materials science, and automation to push the boundaries of what’s possible with additive manufacturing. These innovations are transforming how we interact with 3D-printed objects—making them more tactile, mobile, intelligent, and accessible.

Holographic imaging has taken a significant step forward thanks to a new quantum-based technique developed by engineers at Brown University, including two undergraduate students. This innovative approach harnesses the power of quantum entanglement to generate detailed 3D holograms—without relying on traditional infrared cameras.

The method uses invisible infrared light to illuminate microscopic objects, while entangled visible light captures both the intensity and phase of the light waves—an essential element for creating true holographic images. The process, called Quantum Multi-Wavelength Holography, overcomes longstanding technical hurdles such as phase wrapping and significantly expands the depth range of holographic imaging.

At the core of a promising new development in biomedical engineering is a nano-reinforced composite material composed of a fat-like triglyceride and nanoscale hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite, a natural component of bone, plays a dual role in this material: it provides essential mechanical strength and offers a biocompatible surface that encourages the growth and integration of bone cells. Studies conducted in 2024 demonstrated that these properties support the gradual integration and eventual replacement of the implant by the body’s own tissue.

Dr. Thomas Willett from the Department of Systems Design Engineering observed that existing successful methods for bone grafts were highly complex and skill-intensive. This observation led him to explore engineering solutions, particularly the use of 3D printing, to simplify the production of bone grafts. He emphasized that 3D printing not only enables the creation of custom grafts but also allows for the integration of engineered features to secure the graft in place, eliminating the traditional reliance on metal screws and plates.

Walmart, in partnership with 3D printing company Alquist, has completed the expansion of a Supercenter in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama using large-scale 3D concrete printing (3DCP). As part of a pilot project to explore innovative construction methods, the companies built a 5,000-square-foot pickup area for online orders in just seven days—a major improvement in speed and efficiency over traditional construction.

The project utilized two large-format 3D concrete printers to produce 16-foot-high wall segments in a total of 75 hours. A five-person crew was able to complete the structure about 50% faster than conventional building methods, showcasing the potential for rapid deployment in commercial construction.

A clever 3D-printed model by the maker “Overton Prints” is providing gardeners with a humane and effective way to manage woodlice (also known as pillbugs) in their garden beds. Shared for free on the Thingiverse platform, the design can be printed using any standard FDM 3D printer, making it accessible to hobbyists and gardening enthusiasts alike.

Rather than eliminating the woodlice, the goal of the design is to relocate them from sensitive garden areas to locations where they can continue their beneficial role in decomposition—such as compost heaps. The trap works without any bait. Instead, it uses the natural behavior of woodlice, which are drawn to cool, damp, and dark environments. The printed model is designed to recreate this ideal microclimate, making it an attractive refuge for the pests.

An interdisciplinary project at the University of South Florida (USF) is leveraging 3D printing to enhance ophthalmological research focused on dry eye disease. This collaboration between the Morsani College of Medicine and the USF IT 3D Print Lab centers on developing a specialized, curved test model to support a newly designed laser scanner. The goal is to improve measurement accuracy of the tear film thickness on the cornea, a key factor in understanding and diagnosing dry eye conditions.

A major obstacle in this type of imaging diagnostics is the complex, curved geometry of the human cornea. Traditional calibration tools, such as the flat 1951 USAF Resolution Test Chart, are inadequate for scanners intended to map curved surfaces. To overcome this, the USF 3D Print Lab team, led by Lucas Tometich, designed a model that closely replicates the natural curvature of the cornea.