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 ...
Calligraphy has perhaps never been so high-tech. Researchers in different studies have demonstrated the capabilities of polymer-based nanoparticles and nanotubes through methods that look like fancy penmanship to the uninformed observer, according to Phys.org.
In one case, that assessment is relatively true – scientists are developing pens that can draw actual circuits through the use of carbon-nanotube ink. In the other, researchers created the unofficial smallest-ever three-dimensional block letter 'M' to show the versatility of a new nanoparticle manufacturing technique.
"Calligraphy has perhaps never been so high-tech."
High-tech pen draws actual circuits
A new carbon-nanotube pen can draw circuits – not representations or blueprints, but actual, working circuit boards. The specialized ink combines the nanotubes with polymer solution polyethylene oxide (PEO). The polymer solution is both strong and elastic, allowing it to stretch and contort the carbon fibers into various shapes. As it turned out, bending and lengthening the fibers actually improved their conductivity, rather than hindering it.
A new carbon-nanotube pen can draw circuits – not representations or blueprints, but actual, working circuit boards. The specialized ink combines the nanotubes with polymer solution polyethylene oxide (PEO). The polymer solution is both strong and elastic, allowing it to stretch and contort the carbon fibers into various shapes. As it turned out, bending and lengthening the fibers actually improved their conductivity, rather than hindering it.
Other, similar pens have existed in the past, but the fiber lengths were limited to a couple of millimeters and the process was exceedingly slow. This new stylus has the potential to effectively draw out circuits for a variety of applications.
"We are now working on enabling more functions in the fiber," Hui Wu Associate Professor at Tsinghua University, told Phys.org. "For example, one possibility is semiconducting fibers drawn from a pen tip for flexible device applications."
The uses could range from wearable devices to solar cells and robotic arms may provide the necessary high-speed, precise drawing abilities that humans lack.
Tiny block 'M' is about more than typography
In another design-related development, a team of researchers from the University of Michigan unveiled a nanoparticle manufacturing technique capable of yielding small, precise shapes, Phys.org reported. The team believes the method may have big implications in the world of medicine, including helping doctors to deliver multiple drugs at different intervals, guide drugs to specific regions of the patient's body and create cures that can target specific cells.
In another design-related development, a team of researchers from the University of Michigan unveiled a nanoparticle manufacturing technique capable of yielding small, precise shapes, Phys.org reported. The team believes the method may have big implications in the world of medicine, including helping doctors to deliver multiple drugs at different intervals, guide drugs to specific regions of the patient's body and create cures that can target specific cells.
In this case, the block 'M' was less about fitting words on a page and more about demonstrating the precision of the new technique, says Anish Tuteja, University of Michigan assistant professor of materials science and engineering.
"The Block 'M's' were a test," he told Phys.org "This opens up all sorts of opportunities for combining different polymers and molecules in a variety of shapes. And because it's simple and low-cost, we can explore new possibilities much more easily than in the past."
Because the nanoparticles are so versatile, scientists will be able to tailor the structures to a variety of applications. The key in the process is the use of the research team's polymer dissolved in a solution, which is applied to a silicon wafer bearing an etching of the desired shape. When the solution dissolved, the polymer remains – in this way, the wafer acts as a mold in which the polymer forms. To build up more layers, the team only has to coat the wafer again as many times as necessary, forming a new layer with each solution.
Once these two techniques gain the necessary material analysis at an independent testing laboratory, they could help scientists, engineers, doctors and other officials across industries.
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