3D printing in space:from mechanical structures to living tissues

3D printing stands at the forefront of transforming space exploration,offering unprecedented on-demand and rapid manufacturing capabilities.It adeptly addresses challenges such as mass reduction,intricate component fabrication,and resource constraints.Despite the obstacles posed by microgravity and extreme environments,continual advancements underscore the pivotal role of 3D printing in aerospace science.Beyond its primary function of producing space structures,3D printing contributes significantly to progress in electronics,biomedicine,and resource optimization.This perspective delves into the technological advantages,environmental challenges,development status,and opportunities of 3D printing in space.Envisioning its crucial impact,we anticipate that 3D printing will unlock innovative solutions,reshape manufacturing practices,and foster self-sufficiency in future space endeavors.

In-situ defect passivation assisted three-step printing of efficient and stable formamidine-lead bromide solar cells

Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)emerge as the most promising photovoltaics(PV)for their high performance and potential convenient cost-effective production routes comparing to the sophomore PV technologies.The printed PSCs with simplified device architecture and fabrication procedures could further enhance the competitive strength of PSC technology.In this work,we present an in-situ defect passivation(ISDP)assisted full-printing of high performance formamidine-lead bromide(FAPbBr_(3))PSCs.Only three rapid printing steps are involved for electron transporting layer(ETL),perovskite and carbon to form a complete solar cell on the low-cost fluorine-doped tin oxide(FTO)substrate.Long-chain polymer monomethyl ether polyethylene glycol is particularly utilized as the ISDP passivator,leading to conformal coating on the rough FTO and defect passivation for both ETL and perovskite during printing.A high efficiency of 10.85%(certified 10.14%)and a high V_(oc)up to 1.57 V are achieved for the printed device.The unencapsulated PSCs maintain above 90%of the initial efficiency after continuously heating at 85℃for 1000 h and over 80%of the efficiency after the maximum power point tracking for 3500 h.The fully printed semitransparent PSCs with carbon grids(CGs)show average visible light transmittance over 33%and an efficiency of 8.81%.

Two-photon polymerization-based 4D printing and its applications

Two-photon polymerization(TPP)is a cutting-edge micro/nanoscale three-dimensional(3D)printing technology based on the principle of two-photon absorption.TPP surpasses the diffraction limit in achieving feature sizes and excels in fabricating intricate 3D micro/nanostructures with exceptional resolution.The concept of 4D entails the fabrication of structures utilizing smart materials capable of undergoing shape,property,or functional changes in response to external stimuli over time.The integration of TPP and 4D printing introduces the possibility of producing responsive structures with micro/nanoscale accuracy,thereby enhancing the capabilities and potential applications of both technologies.This paper comprehensively reviews TPP-based 4D printing technology and its diverse applications.First,the working principles of TPP and its recent advancements are introduced.Second,the optional4D printing materials suitable for fabrication with TPP are discussed.Finally,this review paper highlights several noteworthy applications of TPP-based 4D printing,including domains such as biomedical microrobots,bioinspired microactuators,autonomous mobile microrobots,transformable devices and robots,as well as anti-counterfeiting microdevices.In conclusion,this paper provides valuable insights into the current status and future prospects of TPP-based4D printing technology,thereby serving as a guide for researchers and practitioners.

Effect of navigation endoscopy combined with threedimensional printing technology in the treatment of orbital blowout fractures

●AIM:To explore the combined application of surgical navigation nasal endoscopy(NNE)and three-dimensional printing technology(3DPT)for the adjunctive treatment of orbital blowout fractures(OBF).●METHODS:Retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of patients with OBF who underwent surgical treatment at the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University between July 2012 and November 2022.The control group consisted of patients who received traditional surgical treatment(n=43),while the new surgical group(n=52)consisted of patients who received NNE with 3DPT.The difference in therapeutic effects between the two groups was evaluated by comparing the duration of the operation,best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),enophthalmos difference,recovery rate of eye movement disorder,recovery rate of diplopia,and incidence of postoperative complications.●RESULTS:The study included 95 cases(95 eyes),with 63 men and 32 women.The patients’age ranged from 5 to 67y(35.21±15.75y).The new surgical group and the control group exhibited no statistically significant differences in the duration of the operation,BCVA and enophthalmos difference.The recovery rates of diplopia in the new surgical group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 1mo[OR=0.03,95%CI(0.01–0.15),P<0.0000]and 3mo[OR=0.11,95%CI(0.03–0.36),P<0.0000]postoperation.Additionally,the recovery rates of eye movement disorders at 1 and 3mo after surgery were OR=0.08,95%CI(0.03–0.24),P<0.0000;and OR=0.01,95%CI(0.00–0.18),P<0.0000.The incidence of postoperative complications was lower in the new surgical group compared to the control group[OR=4.86,95%CI(0.95–24.78),P<0.05].●CONCLUSION:The combination of NNE and 3DPT can shorten the recovery time of diplopia and eye movement disorder in patients with OBF.

3D printing encouraging desired in-situ polypyrrole seed-polymerization for ultra-high energy density supercapacitors

The tireless pursuit of supercapacitors with high energy density entails the parallel advancement of wellsuited electrode materials and elaborately engineered architectures.Polypyrrole(PPy)emerges as an exceedingly conductive polymer and a prospective pseudocapacitive materials for supercapacitors,yet the inferior cyclic stability and unpredictable polymerization patterns severely impede its real-world applicability.Here,for the first time,an innovative seed-induced in-situ polymerization assisted 3D printing strategy is proposed to fabricate PPy-reduced graphene oxide/poly(vinylidene difluoride-cohexafluoropropylene)(PVDF-HFP)(PPy-rGO/PH)electrodes with controllable polymerization behavior and exceptional areal mass loading.The preferred active sites uniformly pre-planted on the 3D-printed graphene substrates serve as reliable seeds to induce efficient polypyrrole deposition,achieving an impressive mass loading of 185.6 mg cm^(-2)(particularly 79.2 mg cm^(-2)for polypyrrole)and a superior areal capacitance of 25.2 F cm^(-2)at 2 mA cm^(-2)for a 12-layer electrode.In agreement with theses appealing features,an unprecedented areal energy density of 1.47 mW h cm^(-2)for a symmetrical device is registered,a rarely achieved value for other PPy/rGO-based supercapacitors.This work highlights a promising route to preparing high energy density energy storage modules for real-world applications.

Droplet morphology analysis of drop-on-demand inkjet printing

As an accurate 2D/3D fabrication tool,inkjet printing technology has great potential in preparation of micro electronic devices.The morphology of droplets produced by the inkjet printer has a great impact on the accuracy of deposition.In this study,the drop-on-demand(DoD)inkjet simulation model was established,and the accuracy of the simulation model was verified by corresponding experiments.The simulation result shows that the velocity of the droplet front and tail,as well as the time to disconnect from the nozzle is mainly affected by density(ρ),viscosity(μ)and surface tension(σ)of droplets.When the liquid filament is about to disconnect from the nozzle,the filament length and filament front velocity are found to have a linear correlation withσ/ρμand ln(ρ/(μσ1/2)).

Investigation on mechanical properties regulation of rock-like specimens based on 3D printing and similarity quantification

3D printing is widely adopted to quickly produce rock mass models with complex structures in batches,improving the consistency and repeatability of physical modeling.It is necessary to regulate the mechanical properties of 3D-printed specimens to make them proportionally similar to natural rocks.This study investigates mechanical properties of 3D-printed rock analogues prepared by furan resin-bonded silica sand particles.The mechanical property regulation of 3D-printed specimens is realized through quantifying its similarity to sandstone,so that analogous deformation characteristics and failure mode are acquired.Considering similarity conversion,uniaxial compressive strength,cohesion and stress–strain relationship curve of 3D-printed specimen are similar to those of sandstone.In the study ranges,the strength of 3D-printed specimen is positively correlated with the additive content,negatively correlated with the sand particle size,and first increases then decreases with the increase of curing temperature.The regulation scheme with optimal similarity quantification index,that is the sand type of 70/140,additive content of 2.5‰and curing temperature of 81.6℃,is determined for preparing 3D-printed sandstone analogues and models.The effectiveness of mechanical property regulation is proved through uniaxial compression contrast tests.This study provides a reference for preparing rock-like specimens and engineering models using 3D printing technology.

Extrusion 3D printing of carbon nanotube-assembled carbon aerogel nanocomposites with high electrical conductivity

Carbon nanotubes(CNTs)with high aspect ratio and excellent electrical conduction offer huge functional improvements for current carbon aerogels.However,there remains a major challenge for achieving the on-demand shaping of carbon aerogels with tailored micro-nano structural textures and geometric features.Herein,a facile extrusion 3D printing strategy has been proposed for fabricating CNT-assembled carbon(CNT/C)aerogel nanocomposites through the extrusion printing of pseudoplastic carbomer-based inks,in which the stable dispersion of CNT nanofibers has been achieved relying on the high viscosity of carbomer microgels.After extrusion printing,the chemical solidification through polymerizing RF sols enables 3D-printed aerogel nanocomposites to display high shape fidelity in macroscopic geometries.Benefiting from the micro-nano scale assembly of CNT nanofiber networks and carbon nanoparticle networks in composite phases,3D-printed CNT/C aerogels exhibit enhanced mechanical strength(fracture strength,0.79 MPa)and typical porous structure characteristics,including low density(0.220 g cm^(-3)),high surface area(298.4 m^(2)g^(-1)),and concentrated pore diameter distribution(~32.8nm).More importantly,CNT nanofibers provide an efficient electron transport pathway,imparting 3D-printed CNT/C aerogel composites with a high electrical conductivity of 1.49 S cm^(-1).Our work would offer feasible guidelines for the design and fabrication of shape-dominated functional materials by additive manufacturing.

3D printing of poly(ethyleneimine)-functionalized Mg-Al mixed metal oxide monoliths for direct air capture of CO_(2)

Direct air capture(DAC)of CO_(2)plays an indispensable role in achieving carbon-neutral goals as one of the key negative emission technologies.Since large air flows are required to capture the ultradilute CO_(2)from the air,lab-synthesized adsorbents in powder form may cause unacceptable gas pressure drops and poor heat and mass transfer efficiencies.A structured adsorbent is essential for the implementation of gas-solid contactors for cost-and energy-efficient DAC systems.In this study,efficient adsorbent poly(ethyleneimine)(PEI)-functionalized Mg-Al-CO_(3)layered double hydroxide(LDH)-derived mixed metal oxides(MMOs)are three-dimensional(3D)printed into monoliths for the first time with more than 90%adsorbent loadings.The printing process has been optimized by initially printing the LDH powder into monoliths followed by calcination into MMO monoliths.This structure exhibits a 32.7%higher specific surface area and a 46.1%higher pore volume,as compared to the direct printing of the MMO powder into a monolith.After impregnation of PEI,the monolith demonstrates a large adsorption capacity(1.82 mmol/g)and fast kinetics(0.7 mmol/g/h)using a CO_(2)feed gas at 400 ppm at 25℃,one of the highest values among the shaped DAC adsorbents.Smearing of the amino-polymers during the post-printing process affects the diffusion of CO_(2),resulting in slower adsorption kinetics of pre-impregnation monoliths compared to post-impregnation monoliths.The optimal PEI/MeOH ratio for the post-impregnation solution prevents pores clogging that would affect both adsorption capacity and kinetics.

Near-zero-adhesion-enabled intact wafer-scale resist-transfer printing for high-fidelity nanofabrication on arbitrary substrates

There is an urgent need for novel processes that can integrate different functional nanostructures onto specific substrates,so as to meet the fast-growing need for broad applications in nanoelectronics,nanophotonics,and fexible optoelectronics.Existing direct-lithography methods are difficult to use on fexible,nonplanar,and biocompatible surfaces.Therefore,this fabrication is usually accomplished by nanotransfer printing.However,large-scale integration of multiscale nanostructures with unconventional substrates remains challenging because fabrication yields and quality are often limited by the resolution,uniformity,adhesivity,and integrity of the nanostructures formed by direct transfer.Here,we proposed a resist-based transfer strategy enabled by near-zero adhesion,which was achieved by molecular modification to attain a critical surface energy interval.This approach enabled the intact transfer of wafer-scale,ultrathin-resist nanofilms onto arbitrary substrates with mitigated cracking and wrinkling,thereby facilitating the in situ fabrication of nanostructures for functional devices.Applying this approach,fabrication of three-dimensional-stacked multilayer structures with enhanced functionalities,nanoplasmonic structures with~10 nm resolution,and MoS2-based devices with excellent performance was demonstrated on specific substrates.These results collectively demonstrated the high stability,reliability,and throughput of our strategy for optical and electronic device applications.

Method of fabricating artificial rock specimens based on extrusion free forming(EFF)3D printing

Three-dimensional(3D)printing technology has been widely used to create artificial rock samples in rock mechanics.While 3D printing can create complex fractures,the material still lacks sufficient similarity to natural rock.Extrusion free forming(EFF)is a 3D printing technique that uses clay as the printing material and cures the specimens through high-temperature sintering.In this study,we attempted to use the EFF technology to fabricate artificial rock specimens.The results show the physico-mechanical properties of the specimens are significantly affected by the sintering temperature,while the nozzle diameter and layer thickness also have a certain impact.The specimens are primarily composed of SiO_(2),with mineral compositions similar to that of natural rocks.The density,uniaxial compressive strength(UCS),elastic modulus,and tensile strength of the printed specimens fall in the range of 1.65–2.54 g/cm3,16.46–50.49 MPa,2.17–13.35 GPa,and 0.82–17.18 MPa,respectively.It is capable of simulating different types of rocks,especially mudstone,sandstone,limestone,and gneiss.However,the simulation of hard rocks with UCS exceeding 50 MPa still requires validation.

Direct 4D printing of functionally graded hydrogel networks for biodegradable,untethered,and multimorphic soft robots

Recent advances in functionally graded additive manufacturing(FGAM)technology have enabled the seamless hybridization of multiple functionalities in a single structure.Soft robotics can become one of the largest beneficiaries of these advances,through the design of a facile four-dimensional(4D)FGAM process that can grant an intelligent stimuli-responsive mechanical functionality to the printed objects.Herein,we present a simple binder jetting approach for the 4D printing of functionally graded porous multi-materials(FGMM)by introducing rationally designed graded multiphase feeder beds.Compositionally graded cross-linking agents gradually form stable porous network structures within aqueous polymer particles,enabling programmable hygroscopic deformation without complex mechanical designs.Furthermore,a systematic bed design incorporating additional functional agents enables a multi-stimuli-responsive and untethered soft robot with stark stimulus selectivity.The biodegradability of the proposed 4D-printed soft robot further ensures the sustainability of our approach,with immediate degradation rates of 96.6%within 72 h.The proposed 4D printing concept for FGMMs can create new opportunities for intelligent and sustainable additive manufacturing in soft robotics.

Cookie Baking Process Optimization and Quality Analysis Based on Food 3D Printing

In order to obtain better quality cookies, food 3D printing technology was employed to prepare cookies. The texture, color, deformation, moisture content, and temperature of the cookie as evaluation indicators, the influences of baking process parameters, such as baking time, surface heating temperature and bottom heating temperature, on the quality of the cookie were studied to optimize the baking process parameters. The results showed that the baking process parameters had obvious effects on the texture, color, deformation, moisture content, and temperature of the cookie. All of the roasting surface heating temperature, bottom heating temperature and baking time had positive influences on the hardness, crunchiness, crispiness, and the total color difference(ΔE) of the cookie. When the heating temperatures of the surfac and bottom increased, the diameter and thickness deformation rate of the cookie increased. However,with the extension of baking time, the diameter and thickness deformation rate of the cookie first increased and then decreased. With the surface heating temperature of 180 ℃, the bottom heating temperature of 150 ℃, and baking time of 15 min, the cookie was crisp and moderate with moderate deformation and uniform color. There was no burnt phenomenon with the desired quality. Research results provided a theoretical basis for cookie manufactory based on food 3D printing technology.

Significance of“Printing English”in the Curriculum Setting of Business English Majors(Publishing Direction)

With the development of the global economy and the quick growth of international exchanges,Business English major plays an increasingly important role in higher education.The training goal of Business English major(publishing direction)has gradually shifted from the improvement of studentslanguage abilities to the cultivation of more specialized business knowledge and publishing skills.As an important course for Business English majors(publishing direction),Printing English is of great significance for cultivating studentsprofessional quality,professional competitiveness,career development,and practical ability.From the perspective of curriculum setting,it is necessary to re-understand the importance of Printing English in the curriculum setting of Business English major(publishing direction),and put forward corresponding teaching methods and strategies.

Digital textile printing market outlook from 2024 to 2034

The Sports-Inspired Clothing market represents a dynThe digital textile printing market is projected to be worth US$2,989.6 million in 2024.The market is anticipated to reach US$8,897.3 million by 2034.The market is further expected to surge at a CAGR of 12.1%during the forecast period 2024 to 2034.

Exploring Effective Ways of Green Printing to Reduce Harmful Volatile Organic Compounds Emissions

This paper delves into the transformative shift in the printing industry from traditional petroleum-based inks to sustainable alternatives,focusing on soy ink.Initially,it examines the environmental and health hazards associated with conventional printing,highlighting the detrimental impact of volatile organic compounds(VOCs)and toxic substances in inks.The emergence of soy ink as an eco-friendly solution is then explored.Derived from soybeans,soy ink significantly reduces the release of harmful VOCs and enhances the recyclability of printed materials.The paper discusses not only the environmental benefits of soy ink but also its operational and economic advantages,such as improved deinking capabilities and waste reduction.A notable development in soy ink technology is the use of soy methyl ester,which addresses the challenges of slow drying and penetration associated with traditional inks.The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for continued innovation in sustainable practices within the printing industry,positioning soy ink as a key player in aligning economic goals with environmental responsibility.The shift to soy-based inks exemplifies a broader trend towards sustainability,pivotal for the future health of the planet.

Prospects of 3D Printing Technology in Dental Medicine

With the continuous advancement of technology,the application of 3D printing technology in the field of dental medicine is becoming increasingly widespread.This article aims to explore the current applications and future potential of 3D printing technology in dental medicine and to analyze its benefits and challenges.It first introduces the current state of 3D printing technology in dental implants,crowns,bridges,orthodontics,and maxillofacial surgery.It then discusses the potential applications of 3D printing technology in oral tissue engineering,drug delivery systems,personalized dental prosthetics,and surgical planning.Finally,it analyzes the benefits of 3D printing technology in dental medicine,such as improving treatment accuracy and patient comfort,and shortening treatment times,while also highlighting the challenges faced,such as costs,material choices,and technical limitations.This article aims to provide a reference for professionals in the field of dental medicine and to promote the further application and development of 3D printing technology in this area.

4D printing: interdisciplinary integration of smart materials, structural design,and new functionality

Four-dimensional printing allows for the transformation capabilities of 3D-printed architectures over time,altering their shape,properties,or function when exposed to external stimuli.This interdisciplinary technology endows the 3D architectures with unique functionalities,which has generated excitement in diverse research fields,such as soft robotics,biomimetics,biomedical devices,and sensors.Understanding the selection of the material,architectural designs,and employed stimuli is crucial to unlocking the potential of smart customization with 4D printing.This review summarizes recent significant developments in 4D printing and establishes links between smart materials,3D printing techniques,programmable structures,diversiform stimulus,and new functionalities for multidisciplinary applications.We start by introducing the advanced features of 4D printing and the key technological roadmap for its implementation.We then place considerable emphasis on printable smart materials and structural designs,as well as general approaches to designing programmable structures.We also review stimulus designs in smart materials and their associated stimulus-responsive mechanisms.Finally,we discuss new functionalities of 4D printing for potential applications and further development directions.

Application and prospects of 3D printing in physical experiments of rock mass mechanics and engineering:materials,methodologies and models

The existence of joints or other kinds of discontinuities has a dramatic efect on the stability of rock excavations and engineering.As a result,a great challenge in rock mass mechanics testing is to prepare rock or rock-like samples with defects.In recent years,3D printing technology has become a promising tool in the feld of rock mass mechanics and engineering.This study frst reviews and discusses the research status of traditional test methods in rock mass mechanics tests of making rock samples with defects.Then,based on the comprehensive analysis of previous research,the application of 3D printing technology in rock mass mechanics is expounded from the following three aspects.The frst is the printing material.Although there are many materials for 3D printing,it has been found that 3D printing materials that can be used for rock mass mechanics research are very limited.After research,we summarize and evaluate printing material that can be used for rock mass mechanics studies.The second is the printing methodology,which mainly introduces the current application forms of 3D printing technology in rock mass mechanics.This includes printed precise casting molds and one-time printed samples.The last one is the printing model,which includes small-scale samples for mechanical tests and large-scale physical models.Then,the benefts and drawbacks of using 3D printing samples in mechanical tests and the validity of their simulation of real rock are discussed.Compared with traditional rock samples collected in nature or synthetic rock-like samples,the samples made by 3D printing technology have unique advantages,such as higher test repeatability,visualization of rock internal structure and stress distribution.There is thus great potential for the use of 3D printing in the feld of rock mass mechanics.However,3D printing materials also have shortcomings,such as insufcient material strength and accuracy at this stage.Finally,the application prospect of 3D printing technology in rock mass mechanics research is proposed.

Recent advances in meniscus-on-demand three-dimensional micro-and nano-printing for electronics and photonics

The continual demand for modern optoelectronics with a high integration degree and customized functions has increased requirements for nanofabrication methods with high resolution,freeform,and mask-free.Meniscus-on-demand three-dimensional(3D)printing is a high-resolution additive manufacturing technique that exploits the ink meniscus formed on a printer nozzle and is suitable for the fabrication of micro/nanoscale 3D architectures.This method can be used for solution-processed 3D patterning of materials at a resolution of up to100 nm,which provides an excellent platform for fundamental scientific studies and various practical applications.This review presents recent advances in meniscus-on-demand 3D printing,together with historical perspectives and theoretical background on meniscus formation and stability.Moreover,this review highlights the capabilities of meniscus-on-demand 3D printing in terms of printable materials and potential areas of application,such as electronics and photonics.