Anthony Palumbo and Charles Goulding examine how rotational multi-material 3D printing embeds programmable pneumatic channels in elastomer filaments to create soft robots that bend, twist, and grasp on command, while highlighting key durability and scaling limits. Introduction Soft robots can bend, twist, and conform around delicate objects, enabling safer interaction than many rigid mechanisms. However,… Continue reading Rotational MultiMaterial 3D Printing of Pneumatically Programmable Soft Robots
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Design of the Week: Ancient Roman Game
This week’s selection is the Ancient Roman Game by Reddit contributor melig1991.
Duke University’s Research Strategy and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Jacob Nolan examine how Duke University’s research strategy, shaped by federal funding uncertainty, healthcare innovation, and advanced manufacturing trends, is positioning 3D printing as a key driver of biomedical, engineering, and life science advancement within the Research Triangle.
University of North Carolina’s Research Strategy and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine how UNC Chapel Hill’s pragmatic research strategy, shaped by federal funding cuts and pharma reshoring, is positioning 3D printing and life-science innovation as a critical pillar of the Research Triangle’s next growth phase.
From Wet Labs to 3D Printing: NYU Langone Powers NYC’s Medical Renaissance
Charles R. Goulding and Kate Esposito delve into how NYU Langone is reshaping New York City’s medical innovation landscape through cutting-edge research centers, 3D printing advancements, and programs empowering the next generation of healthcare entrepreneurs.
Vanderbilt’s Budget Crunch: Cutting Costs, Not Innovation
Charles R. Goulding and Jacob Nolan show how VUMC is navigating layoffs by investing in smart labs, personalized medicine, and AI-driven diagnostics.
From Facebook to Frontiers in Biotech: Inside the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s 3D Bioprinting Revolution (DUPLICATE)
Charles R. Goulding and Kate Esposito consider how the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is revolutionizing biotechnology through low-cost 3D bioprinting and advanced cellular research across its three pioneering Biohubs.
Blueprints & Breakthroughs: How Rice University is Redefining 3D Printing Research
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi discover how Rice University’s bold transparency in research funding sets a powerful new standard for efficiency, sustainability, and 3D printing innovation.
Design of the Week: Open Source FLUID Robot
This week’s selection is the Flowing Liquid Utilizing Interactive Device by researchers at Hokkaido University.
Design of the Week: 3D Printed Optical Microscope
This week’s selection is the 3D Printed Optical Microscope by a team of researchers from the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow.
JuggerBot3D’s Groundbreaking Large-Format Hybrid 3D Printing Project
JuggerBot3D announced partners for a very intriguing project with the USAF.
Xolo Unveils Xube² Volumetric 3D Printer with Enhanced Resolution and Material Flexibility
There’s a new volumetric 3D printer on the market you can now purchase.
“High Resolution” 3D Printer Resins Exposed: Do They Really Work?
An interesting video popped up, exposing the marketing buzz around “high resolution” 3D printer resins.
New Studies Linking Microplastics in Plants May Trigger Shift in 3D Printing Materials
There’s more evidence of microplastics causing negative effects, which will eventually affect 3D printing.
Enhancing 3D Print Recycling: The Proposal to Add Recycling Stamps
My proposal to allow 3D print slicers to emboss recycling stamps has generated some interesting ideas.
Innovation Alert: 5-Axis FFF 3D Printer ‘5X’ Developed at IWK Institute
An experimental five axis FFF 3D printer has been developed.
Design of the Week: Robot Gripper
This week’s selection is the electronics-free robot gripper by researchers at the University of California San Diego.
Perspectivas sobre bioimpressão 3D:conversa com uma pesquisadora brasileira
Andressa Bonafe e Charles Goulding entrevistam um pesquisador líder para aprender mais sobre o estado da bioimpressão.
Perspectives on 3D Bioprinting: Conversation with a Brazilian Researcher
Andressa Bonafe and Charles Goulding interview a leading researcher to learn more about the state of bioprinting.
Exploring the Future of 3D Printed Batteries for Lunar and Martian Missions
We spoke to a scientist developing 3D printed batteries for future space missions.
MX3D Expands Horizons with Installation of First WAAM M1 System in Canada
MX3D announced a new installation of the WAAM system that signals the company’s growth.
Participate in Fabbaloo’s Reader Survey for a Chance to Win an Anycubic 3D Printer
Fabbaloo has launched our annual reader survey, and there’s some great prizes for participants.
An Immigrant’s Dream: Thomas Zacharia’s 35 Years at ORNL
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at a change at ORNL.
Roboze To Focus More on Materials
After speaking with Roboze representatives, it seems the company is going full-out on materials.
What Is The Benefit of an “AM Cluster”?
With the announcement of a new AM cluster, some may be wondering what it’s all about.
What Is MatterHackers Doing With the US Navy?
MatterHackers announced a highly unusual arrangement with the US Navy.
3D Printed Materials in Cleanrooms
Charles R. Goulding and Julia Wallace look at the possibilities of using 3D printed parts in clean room environments.
Enter Our Survey To Win A 3D Printer
It’s that time of year again; we’re rolling out our annual reader survey, and this year you could win an amazing desktop 3D printer if you participate.
ADT Engineering Lab, Solar, Smart Homes and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Randall Rothbort look at how ADT’s Engineering Lab could make use of 3D printing technology.
CASTOR Releases Unusual Trends Report
CASTOR released their 2021 annual Additive Manufacturing Trends Report, and it’s quite a bit different than you might think.
What Is A “Brinter”?
I wondered what a “Brinter” is, and found out.
ARK Moves to St. Pete Innovation District and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine the implications of an investment firm’s unusual relocation.
Redwire Partners With Blue Origin for Space Manufacturing
Blue Origin announced plans for a new space station, but the plan also includes a 3D printing system.
CollPlant Biotechnologies And The Expansion Of Bioprinting
Charles R. Goulding and Arianna Coger examine R&D at CollPlant as bioprinting interest picks up.
Phantom Limb Pain, Prosthetics, And 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Arianna Coger examine the ways in which 3D printing for prosthetics may address the phenomenon of phantom limb pain.
Multi-Material Body Implant 3D Printing Technique Developed
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have made a breakthrough in healthcare 3D printing.
Greater Customization Of 3D Printed Scaffolds Now Possible With New Bioink
Charles R. Goulding and Arianna Coger consider new advances that could lead to great strides forward in bioprinting capabilities.
E-Waste And Duke University’s Impact On Recyclable Electronics Via 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Joseph Castine consider research into 3D printing to impact e-waste.
3D Printing Endangered Species
While addressing animals on the endangered species list is a major undertaking, 3D scanning and 3D printing can preserve these Vanishing Legacies.
Book of the Week:Things Fall Together
This week’s selection is “Things Fall Together” by Skylar Tibbits.
OSHdata Shuts Down
This week, OSHdata announced its closure.
How Far Has 3D Printing Changed: From Prototype To Orbit
A partly 3D printed research satellite will test the envelope of 3D printed technology.
BMF Investigating Production Of 3D Printed Microneedles For COVID-19 Vaccines
BMF has been collaborating with Carnegie-Mellon University on a very promising approach to COVID-19 vaccines.
Implications Of NIST’s $4 Million Support For Metal Additive Manufacturing
At the end of 2020, the NIST awarded almost $4 million in grants supporting metal 3D printing measurement methods and standards.
Case Western Reserve University’s Advancements In 3D Printing Materials
Charles R. Goulding and Joseph Castine consider a leading research university’s work in advancing 3D printing materials.
Gideon Gartner’s Legacy Included 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider the 3D printing legacy of the late Gideon Gartner.
Book of the Week: Smoothing 3D Prints from ABS Using Acetone Vapors
This week’s selection is “Smoothing 3D prints from ABS using acetone vapors” by Jagoda Ryba and Urszula Lelek-Borkowska.
Why Some 3D Print Research Never Makes It To A Product
Very often you’ll see amazing research into new forms of 3D printing appear on our pages, but you might wonder why you can’t ever buy a product with that technology.
Reminder: Our 2020 Reader Survey Is Still Running
We’d love to hear from you: what do you want to hear about in 3D printing?
Fabbaloo’s Annual Survey Is Now Open!
It’s that time of year again; we’re rolling out our annual reader survey.
How To Fully Leverage 5-Axis 3D Printing
New research has uncovered ways to optimally use 5-axis 3D printing.
The Case For 3D Printing Learning Aids
I’m reading an interesting analysis of how educators could save cash by 3D printing their own learning aids.
3D Printed Field Testing Shows More Weather Science For Less Money
Sometimes “field testing” is very literal, as Argonne National Laboratory’s recent work with a 3D printed weather station highlights.
Tongue Tied Pharma: Oral Thin Films And 3D Printing
Charles Goulding Jr. considers the use of 3D printing in a different sort of pharmaceutical development.
The Art And Science Of Predicting Polymer 3D Printed Part Strength
Swapnil Sinha is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University whose research in additive manufacturing shows strength for the future of both DfAM and in-situ embedding in 3D printed parts.
The Art Of Bioprinting
Bioprinting is a 3D printing technique that combines the technology of 3D printers with select biomaterials to imitate components of the body.
EOS Partners With TEES To Develop New AM Skills
EOS announced a new partnership with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) to increase AM skills.
How To 3D Print Tensegrity Structures
Researchers have found a way to use 3D printers to produce tensegrity structures.
Photocentric’s Battery Initiative
We received notice that UK-based Photocentric has launched a battery research division.
Susana Marques’s Journey To Real 3D Printed Fashions, Part 2
We had a chance to interview Susana Marques, a designer who has been using a number of 3D printers to develop functional and attractive fabrics.
Susana Marques’s Journey To Real 3D Printed Fashions, Part 1
We had a chance to interview Susana Marques, a fashion designer who has been using a number of 3D printers to develop functional and attractive fabrics.
Electromagnetic Ceramic 3D Printing Possibilities
New research has uncovered a potential method for 3D printing ceramic materials using microwaves.
Essentium Materials Handling Guide Reveals Drying Insights For 3D Printing
Everyone knows 3D printer filament must be dry to function properly, but exactly how is this best done?
An Unexpected Bioprinting Advantage Over COVID-19
Researchers have been using bioprinting technology to assist in the development of COVID-19 treatments.
Raytheon-UMass Lowell Research Institute (RURI) and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Adam Friedman discuss 3D printing work at an advanced research institute.
Researchers Break The 3D Printed Latex Barrier
Researchers at the Virginia Tech have developed an unusual method that allows latex to be 3D printed.
Deena El-Mahdy: “I Started To Study Material Sciences And How To Reuse And Recycle Materials”
Deena El-Mahdy is an Egyptian architect and Assistant professor at Architectural Engineering Department at the British University in Egypt.
Finely-Detailed Metal 3D Prints From The Incus Hammer Lab35
Today I’m looking at a 3D printer I had not seen before, the Incus Hammer Lab35.
Book of the Week: Additive Manufacturing for the Aerospace Industry
This week’s selection is “Additive Manufacturing for the Aerospace Industry” by Francis H. Froes and Rodney Boyer.
China Conducts 3D Printing Experiment In Orbit (Or Do They?)
The US may no longer the sole 3D printer operator in space, as China has demonstrated what appears to be a functioning 3D printer on their most recent mission.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel: 3D Printing for Safe Infection-Removing Ultraviolet Light
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi dig into 3D printing and sanitizing efforts with UV light.
3D Printing The Deep Underground
Researchers are using 3D printing to better understand the underground flow of fluids.
Cosmonauts Bioprinting Rat Parts On Space Station
Cosmonauts are attempting to 3D print bone tissue using a bioprinter on the space station.
Wohlers Report 2020 Details A Maturing Additive Manufacturing Industry
Among the many resources in 3D printing, the Wohlers Report remains the authoritative report for well-researched and trustworthy data.
INTAMSYS 3D Printer Sparks Innovative Production Of Smart Components
INTAMSYS has worked with researchers to develop an interesting hybrid 3D printing / laser-scribing process that can be used in a variety of unusual sensors.
Cost Effective 3D Printing Opens Doors For Research
Researchers are now able to procure incredibly powerful 3D printing equipment at lower costs to enable work that was previously impossible.
The University of Maine Just Created the World’s Largest 3D Printed Boat
University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center has developed a new and enormous 3D printer that is capable of 3D printing a complete boat that floats!
3D Printing Supports Senior and Assistive Aids
Charles Goulding and Greer Veon review the use of 3D printing for applications involving the growing senior demographic segment.
New Investment Interest in 3D Printed Human Organs
A billionaire has invested in research to develop practical methods of 3D printing human hearts. Why would this happen? We have some ideas.
3D Printing in India: An Overview
To some, India may be a mysterious faraway place when it comes to 3D printing. However, there is a flourishing market in that country, and I3DPn hopes to build it even bigger.
Large-Scale Wet Labs Finally Come to New York City
Charles Goulding, Ryan Donley, and Mellissa McIntyre of R&D Tax Savers discuss wet labs and opportunities for 3D printing.
Method Of Developing Reconfigurable Materials Discovered
Can 3D prints change shape and maintain the new shape? New research seems to show this is possible, but what could this research lead to?
Auburn X-Rays 3D Printed Parts
A $1.5M grant is setting Auburn University up to enhance its metrology efforts for additive manufacturing.
3D Printing Ceramics Without Binders
Aerosint is taking steps to make ceramic 3D printing more robust with a binder-free powder bed process.
3D Printing From Crowdsourced Data
A new project from Virginia Tech is perhaps the closest we’ve yet come to 3D printing as a Star Trek Replicator.
The Additec μPrinter Metal 3D Printer
Additec’s new μPrinter allows parts to be 3D printed in both powder and wire in the same system.
Art Imitates Life, Inspires Synthetic Organs
What do you get when a design studio collaborates with bioengineers?
A Tiny Bioprinted Heart Could Mean Big Things
A cherry-sized bioprint may lead to 3D printed human hearts in a decade.
Better-Fit 3D Printed Prosthetics
3D printed prosthetic hands have come a long way.
4D Printing and Metamaterials
Just as we start to build comfort with 3D printing, scientists throw another dimension at it: another look at 4D printing.
Metal 3D Printing Always Playing Catch Up
Metal 3D printing has come a vast distance since it was first introduced some years ago.
Sculpteo’s Annual Survey Is Open
Our friends at Sculpteo have launched their annual industry survey.
3D Printed Labware Pushes the Boundaries of Scientific Innovation
Charles R. Goulding and Andressa Bonafe examine the impact of 3D printing for lab equipment in scientific research.
University 3D Printing Research Strengthens Medical Innovation Clusters
Mellissa McIntyre and Andressa Bonafe discuss medical research in 3D printing and advances in medical innovations.
A 3D Printed Sponge to Soak Up Chemo Drugs
A new 3D printed sponge could help reduce side effects of chemotherapy.