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 ...
What’s gummy in the summer, stiff in the winter, and rapidly deteriorates?
The setup sounds like a joke, and that’s exactly what the scientific community thought of the answer, rubber, when it was first discovered. The joke is on us now because rubber, whether artificial and natural, is one of the most useful materials on the planet. It has spawned multi-billion dollar industries and is, quiet literally, the material that keeps our cars and bikes rolling around the globe.
We’ve discussed this mighty material on our blog several times because it is a great example of how materials shape our daily lives. We also talk about one of the most common applications of rubber — tires — because PSI founder Jim Rancourt, Ph.D., frequently is called upon as a litigation support expert in this area.
Increasing Rubber Demands
Global demand for rubber is expected to be 20% higher than the supply by 2020, reports CNN Tech. The ability to harvest natural rubber is limited. So, too, is the ability to formulate petroleum derived rubbers. Both pressures are sparking biotech experimentation to bring more rubber to market.
- Dandelion Roots Enlarged to Make RubberThe milky white liquid found in this common weed’s roots is a natural latex. Could there be a way to supercharge production?
- Tire Manufacturer Testing Dandelion Rubber
There are more than 1,200 types of plants from which natural rubber could in theory be harvested, but finding right one requires a lot of material testing. - India Tries New Method to Increase Rubber ProductionIndia is trying an eco-friendly approach with hopes to increase its rubber production. It involves the joint cultivation of tea and rubber.
- Desert Plant Could Be Alternative for Tire RubberA little-known, drought-tolerant crop native to the Sonoran Desert could hold the key for rubber production in the United States. One company is literally “betting the farm” by creating a farm just for this purpose.
- More Companies Making Tire Rubber From Sugars
Can we feed our need for rubber? Scientists have created genetically engineered microbes to produce isoprene synthase, which is what plants use to turn carbohydrates into latex.
Rubber … in Art and Culture?
You may not have considered the many roles rubber plays in art and culture. Here are some examples:
- What’s in a Tennis Ball Besides Rubber?Sports like tennis are essential to healthy living. They also shape our sense of community and can impact cultural development. Rubber can be found in many sports in front of the scenes (sporting goods) and nearly invisible behind the scenes, too (such as apparel).
- Did Synthetic Rubbers Give Prehistoric Artifacts the Blues?The rubber mats that turned prehistoric relics a shade of blue had some Italians seeing red!
- Art and Space Conservation Unite Over RubberThe space suits worn by our first astronauts were made with a myriad of materials, many of them polymers like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, and polycarbonate. Now they are falling apart. Can we preserve these historic uniforms before it is too late?
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