University of Nottingham's Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Research Group (3DPRG) has opened a new laboratory for testing materials for 3D Printing and finding ways for application in daily lives.
Floating a consulting firm Added Scientific in that direction, 3DPRG aims at offering its knowhow on additive manufacturing to various industries.
Drawing upon 3DPRG's forte in 3D printing materials, designs and processes, the consulting firm would seek to look into the utility of 3D printing in sectors, such as, electronics, aerospace, pharmaceutical, nanotechnology and medicine.
Nottingham University's EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing director Professor Richard Hague said: "This new lab and Added Scientific represent a huge step forward in additive manufacturing research and development. We aren't about printing just shapes or creating objects for their own sake, but about using science and engineering to find new ways to apply additive manufacturing to the real world.
"The state-of-the-art equipment in our new lab will allow us to refine the process of multi-functional 3D printing, working with research organisations and industry partners to make 3D printed electronics, pharmaceuticals and conductive materials a safe, viable and cost-effective reality."
The laboratory houses analytical equipment and state-of-the-art additive manufacturing machines worth £2.7m, funded by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
One of such equipment is PiXDRO JETx. Armed with six head ink jetting system made by Roth & Rau, it is capable of printing structural and functional materials, such as, electronic circuits or components through six different materials including metallic and ceramic loaded 'inks'.
The laboratory also has Nanoscribe machine for developing new materials to effect nano fabrication of multifunctional systems involving fine structures smaller than cells.
Besides, the research group has joined hands with University's School of Pharmacy for researching new mechanisms that couple additive manufacturing with drug development and delivery. Personalized dosages and customized drug implants fall within the purview of such investigation.
