Category: 3D Printer

China has successfully completed a real-flight test of a fully 3D-printed miniature turbojet engine, marking a significant milestone in aerospace engineering. The flight took place in Inner Mongolia and reached an altitude of up to 4,000 meters. The engine, developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), is the first in the country to be entirely produced using additive manufacturing and to deliver a thrust of 160 kilograms.

This breakthrough was achieved through a combination of advanced multi-disciplinary topology optimization and 3D printing technology. The design process focused on reducing material in low-stress areas, which significantly reduced the engine’s weight without compromising strength or functionality.

A research team at the University of Texas at Austin has developed a groundbreaking 3D printing process that, for the first time, enables the precise integration of soft and hard materials within a single printed component—without introducing mechanical weaknesses where the two properties meet. This innovation, recently published in Nature Materials, marks a major advancement in additive manufacturing.

The method uses a specially formulated photopolymer resin matrix and a dual-exposure approach, employing two distinct wavelengths of light to control material properties at a microscopic level. Violet light initiates a reaction that forms a soft, elastomer-like structure, while higher-energy ultraviolet (UV) light triggers a separate reaction that creates a rigid, thermoplastic-like material. By controlling exposure to each wavelength during the printing process, researchers can seamlessly transition between soft and hard regions within a single object.

In a major advancement for regenerative medicine and medical 3D printing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted de novo approval for a new bioresorbable implant designed for peripheral nerve repair. The product, named COAPTIUM Connect, is the result of a collaboration between 3D Systems and French medical technology company Tissium, combining advanced 3D printing techniques with programmable, biocompatible materials.

The implant offers a suture-free, atraumatic solution for reconnecting damaged peripheral nerves. Traditional nerve repair often requires stitches, which can increase trauma and healing time. In contrast, COAPTIUM Connect uses a photopolymer-based elastomeric material that is not only biocompatible and flexible but also fully bioresorbable, meaning the body can naturally break it down over time.

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.