3M BIC’S TOP INNOVATIONS OF 2023
We asked our technology team what new and exciting things they’ve come across in 2023 and here’s what they came up with, from 3D printed musical instruments to bionic exoskeleton suits!
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3D PRINTED HAIR FOLLICLES
A team of researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are using 3D bio-printing to generate hair follicles in human skin tissue, which could potentially be used for regenerative medicine and drug testing. This marks an exciting future for biomanufacturing!
https://phys.org/news/2023-11-scientists-3d-print-hair-follicles-lab-grown.html#google_vignette
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3D PRINTING WITH COFFEE
Michael Rivera, an assistant professor in the ATLAS Institute and Department of Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, and his colleagues have developed a method for 3D printing using a paste made entirely out of old coffee grounds, water and other sustainable ingredients, with the aim to reduce 3D printing waste.
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3D PRINTING REVOLUTIONISING THE MUSIC INDUSRTY
3D printing technology is making musical instruments more accessible for musicians across the globe, without the reliance of limited market supply. Instruments can now be customised and manufactured to meet specific physical characteristics.
https://www.3dnatives.com/en/3d-printing-music-industry-110820234/#!
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3D IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
Dutch high-tech fashion designer Anouk Wipprech and Chromatic Materials have revealed a 3D printed dress that responds to the environment using LEDs, highlighting the use of embedded electronics with 3D printed elastomers and the potential of its 3D printing technology for commercial use.
Dutch fashion designer uses 3D printing to create futuristic LED dress – TCT Magazine
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JAPANESE 3D PRINTED HOUSE THAT COSTS LESS THAN A CAR
Architect Masayuki Sono and Japanese company Serendix have developed a low-cost 3D printed house, the Serendix50, tailored for two-person households. The 3D printed house has been developed with Japan’s ageing population in mind, with older people struggling to live in big cities due to lack of money and being unable to obtain loans.
Japanese 3D-printed house costs less than a car – Domus (domusweb.it)
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3D PRINTED WOUND DRESSING
Researchers at the University of Waterloo are using 3D printing technology to address the needs of burn and cancer patients. They have developed hydrogel wound dressings designed to relieve pain for burn patients who have their wound dresses changed frequently.
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CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL PLANT
Director of UCLA’S Institute for Carbon Management Gaurav Sant and US start-up, Equatic have developed an electrolytic process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and in turn produces hydrogen, a green fuel, using sea water.
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GERMAN BIONIC EXOSKELETON SUITS
Berlin-based robotics company German Bionic has revealed the Apogee+ powered exoskeleton, which has been specifically designed to offer support for caregivers and has future plans to be introduced to other sectors.
https://germanbionic.com/en/exoskeletons-for-the-healthcare-sector/
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LI-METAL BREAK THROUGH
Li-Metal Corp has produced its first lithium metal at its piloting facility in Markham, Ontario. Li-Metal’s breakthrough uses a molten salt bath to convert lithium carbonate into lithium metal, which can be used to build the next-generation of batteries.
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2023/05/20230524-li-metal.html
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ECO – FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
Researchers at the American University in Cairo have been developing an additive manufacturing-based construction system which puts local construction materials, robotic fabrication and a strong push towards carbon-zero manufacturing at its forefront.
3D Printed Clay Bricks Aim For Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Construction – 3Dnatives
