When it comes to 3D printing, the sky is the limit. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, applications can be as far reaching as airplane and automobile parts to medical devices and even anatomically correct, biocompatible models. Although 3D printing technology is developing at a rapid pace, the technology itself is not new. It emerged in the 1980s as a means of creating rapid prototypes. In recent years the applications for 3D printed models have evolved with the available hardware, software, and printable materials. Evolving technology, paired with the creative and innovative minds of scientists, engineers, and physicians, has been the launching pad for developments within 3D printing technology specific to healthcare. One way 3D printing technology is poised to create better patient outcomes is in creating an anatomically and patient-specific models to aid in surgery and medical procedures. With the capability to 3D ...
A pair of completed eco-innovative projects dealing with the food supply chain, both coordinated from Spain, have been recognised by the autonomous Valencia Community on Spain's eastern seaboard. The
The projects tackle issues of interest to food producers. ECOBIONET piloted a process to manufacture biodegradable netting used to package fruit and vegetables. The netting could replace the synthetic, non-biodegradable material that is currently widely used. The netting is suitable for citrus fruits, potatoes and various vegetables, garlic and shellfish. According to the project coordinators, AIMPLAS (Asociacion de investigacion de materiales plasticos/Plastics Research Association), the ECOBIONET packaging can be disposed of with organic waste, and breaks down into compost within six months.
The work of ECOBIONET has shown that the netting can be manufactured at a cost marginally above non-biodegradable netting, offering “sustainability at a competitive price,” according to José Antonio Costa, the director of AIMPLAS. The primary environmental benefit of widespread use of such packaging would be the reduction in non-biodegradable waste. ECOBIONET builds on a previous project that developed the biodegradable compound used to produce the netting.
The Lasermark project, meanwhile, set out to demonstrate a method to mark fruit and vegetables with laser imprints, rather than adhesive labels. Marking of food is often required by legislation in order to provide information to consumers, but the commonly-used adhesive labels include ink and glue, and are single-use items that are peeled off fruit and vegetables and quickly become non-biodegradable waste.
Lasermark, as its name suggests, replaces the stickers with laser marking of the skin of fruit and vegetables. According to the project, its process would replace the four-stage manufacturing of labels (sticker printing, adhesive application, laminating and cutting) with a single application of a laser mark. This would result in an energy saving of up to 35%, in addition to the other environmental benefits from reducing non-biodegradable waste.
The project was boosted in June 2013, when the European Commission adopted a regulation (510/2013) amending rules on food additives by permitting fruit and vegetables to be laser-etched with additive substances in order to ensure the readability of the labelling. However, the project promoters have said that a challenge remains to convince food processors that consumers will be accepting of laser marking.
Both projects were supported by the EU CIP Eco-Innovation Programme, and closed in 2013. For more information on ECOBIONET, go to http://www.aimplas.es
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