Sustainable Technology

MIT’s Breakthrough in 3D-Printed Solenoids

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In a monumental stride towards sustainable electronics manufacturing, MIT’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) has achieved a significant milestone: fully 3D-printed, three-dimensional solenoids. Solenoids, the core of numerous electronic devices, are traditionally manufactured through complex assembly processes, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in design and performance.
MIT’s approach revolutionizes this process by leveraging multimaterial 3D printing technology, enabling the seamless production of solenoids in one step. Unlike conventional methods, which rely on post-assembly processes prone to defects, MIT’s customized 3D printer delivers superior performance and durability. By incorporating higher-performing materials, MIT’s solenoids exhibit twice the current capacity and three times the magnetic field strength compared to their counterparts.
Beyond cost reduction and waste elimination, MIT’s innovation holds profound implications for space exploration. The ability to fabricate electronic components on-demand using 3D printing technology could revolutionize space missions by circumventing the need for costly and time-consuming part replacements. This democratization of electronics manufacturing aligns with MIT’s vision of empowering global communities with accessible, locally produced hardware.
The modified 3D printer, equipped with four nozzles for precise material deposition, represents a significant leap forward in additive manufacturing capabilities. MIT’s researchers have paved the way for enhanced performance and scalability in 3D-printed electronics by overcoming technical challenges associated with material compatibility and temperature control. Moving forward, MIT’s team aims further to optimize solenoid performance through material innovation and process refinement. With continued advancements, 3D-printed solenoids could revolutionize a wide range of applications, from power converters to soft robotics.
Velásquez-García emphasizes the potential of additive manufacturing to democratize technology, advocating for decentralized production. Teaming up with lead author Jorge Cañada and mechanical engineering graduate student Hyeonseok Kim, their paper on 3D-printed solenoids in Virtual and Physical Prototyping underscores this vision. By enabling local fabrication rather than global distribution, additive manufacturing empowers communities worldwide to create their hardware. This shift not only reduces logistical complexities but also fosters innovation and self-sufficiency in remote areas. Together, they envision a future where technology transcends geographical barriers, driven by the accessibility and versatility of additive manufacturing.
MIT’s groundbreaking research, supported by Empiriko Corporation and La Caixa Foundation, heralds a new era of sustainable electronics manufacturing. By harnessing the power of additive manufacturing, MIT drives innovation towards a more accessible, environmentally friendly future for electronics production.

This entry was posted in "3D Printing, 4D Printing’s Network of research and Collaborations.", "Building Future Innovators: Leveraging Additive Manufacturing for 3D Printing Education", "Evolution of Printing Technologies: Celebrating the Emergence of 3D/4D/5D Printing with Insights and Community Events", "Exploring New Frontiers: Advancements in 3D Printing", "Green Printing: Sustainable Materials for Eco-Friendly Additive Manufacturing in 3D Printing", "Pages to Prototypes: 3D/4D Printing in Books, Design, and Engineering" and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Innovative 3D Printing study transforms Coffee grounds into sustainable products.

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With the potential hidden within our daily coffee routine, the University of Colorado has unveiled a remarkable study that combines coffee grounds with 3D printing technology to create a range of sustainable products. This revolutionary approach can potentially reshape the world of 3D printing and provide eco-conscious solutions for everyday items.

Assistant professor of computer science, Michael Rivera, along with a team of colleagues, embarked on this innovative endeavor. They mixed coffee grounds with powdered cellulose, xanthan gums, and water, creating a compostable, food-safe paste suitable for 3D printing. This paste can be molded into various objects, including plant pots and single-use espresso cups. One of the key advantages of this new material is its biodegradability. Plant pots made from this coffee-based substance can be planted directly into the ground, and when they are no longer needed, they can be recycled. This creates a sustainable cycle where 3D-printed objects can be transformed back into powder and reused for new creations.

Rivera enthusiastically shared, “You can make a lot of things with coffee grounds. And when you don’t want it anymore, you can throw it back into a coffee grinder and use the grounds to print again.”This exciting research has been published in the journal “Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference.” While others have explored innovative uses for coffee grounds, such as in sneakers and other products, the University of Colorado’s study marks the first known instance of combining coffee waste with 3D printing technology. The fusion of technology and food waste holds the promise of benefiting the planet in multiple ways. Firstly, it can contribute to reducing the energy and waste associated with certain 3D printing methods, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics that often release harmful toxins into the environment. Additionally, coffee grounds, when left to decompose in landfills, release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming. Rivera’s research, inspired by the sight of coffee ground waste accumulating during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeks to make 3D printing more sustainable across various industries. Explaining the environmental impact of conventional 3D printing materials, Rivera emphasized, “If you throw [polylactic acid (PLA)] in a landfill, which is where the majority of PLA ends up, it will take up to 1,000 years to decompose.”

With this pioneering technology, Rivera envisions a future where individuals can easily acquire sustainable materials and engage in 3D printing to create everyday items, revolutionizing the way we think about waste and its potential to be transformed into valuable products. This innovative study not only opens new horizons for sustainability but also underscores the power of reimagining waste as a resource for a more eco-conscious future.

By Daniel Strain, Nicholas Goda • Published: Sept. 8, 2023. 3D printing with coffee: Turning used grounds into caffeinated creations.

Story by Susan Elizabeth Turek. First-of-its-kind study combines common household waste product with 3D printing — here are the results.

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