Researchers from Washington State University have successfully 3D printed structures resembling the intricate framework of natural materials. Their process has allowed them to create small structures with impressive strength to weight ratios and control materials on a molecular scale, producing geometries similar to bone and wood.
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What makes this research “an important advance in microscale bottom-up assembly of nanoparticles” is that is can be modified to use other materials of the same size. Ceramics and other metal powder manufacturing could benefit from the technique.
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According to the authors, potential applications of the 3D printed nanostructures include, “tissue engineering, energy storage, strain-tolerant ultralight materials, microfluidic devices, and microelectronic and optoelectronic devices.”
July 3, 2017 | Originally published by Date Line: July 3 on