Researchers Develop Recyclable Bio-Resin for 3D Printing

UK: Researchers at the University of Birmingham have achieved a significant milestone in the field of sustainable 3D printing by developing a new type of bio-based resin that can be recycled and reprinted. This groundbreaking innovation could pave the way for a truly circular 3D printing process, reducing reliance on non-renewable and non-recyclable materials.

Bio-Based Feedstock and Recycling Capabilities

The photopolymer resin, described in the prestigious journal Nature, is derived from lipoic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid molecule commonly used as a dietary supplement. The Birmingham team synthesized two monomers from lipoic acid, which were then combined to create a resin capable of being recycled back into its constituent monomers or even the original lipoic acid molecule.

In their study, the researchers successfully completed two printing and recycling cycles, demonstrating the feasibility of their approach. Notably, reprinting the resin requires only the addition of a small amount of photoinitiator to maintain its curable properties.

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A Step Towards Sustainability

“Our approach is an important step away from relying on 3D-printable resins made from petrochemicals, which cannot be efficiently recycled,” said lead researcher Professor Andrew Dove from Birmingham’s School of Chemistry. “While we still have improvements to make to the properties of the new resin, this research opens up exciting new avenues for development.”

The new bio-resin could find applications in industries where rapid prototyping is used to test products before mass production, such as automotive, medical, dental, and even jewelry design. Although the material currently exhibits a more flexible nature than commonly used in industry, future developments could expand its potential applications.

“Enabling recycling within the light-mediated 3D printing industry is essential since it is a rapidly expanding method for materials production,” said co-lead researcher Assistant Professor Josh Worch. “We now have the prospect, with our technology, to help ensure that recycling becomes a built-in feature of 3D printing.”

Commercialization and IP Protection

Recognizing the potential of their innovation, the University of Birmingham Enterprise has filed a patent application covering the resin and its use in 3D printing, paving the way for potential commercialization and further development of this sustainable technology.

As the world seeks to reduce its environmental footprint, this breakthrough in recyclable bio-resin for 3D printing offers a promising step towards a more sustainable future for additive manufacturing.

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