Researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK have developed a new type of photocurable bio-based resin. It may soon be possible to collect back a 3D-printed object from consumers, recycle the resin by breaking it down—and then 3D-printing it again, in a closed loop process.
Conventional 3D-printing resin materials are made from epoxies or acrylics, from petrochemicals. The new resin is made from lipoic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid molecule that is 100% bio-sourced, and is also a dietary supplement. It is compatible with light-initiated printing techniques such as DLP, SLA or by direct ink write, as well as InkJet printing. The resin provides high fidelity, with resolution down to 0.05mm.
More Details About the New Resin
Breaking the resin back down to its constituent parts requires “the addition of a small amount of photoinitiator to maintain the material’s curable properties,” the press release states, before it can be recycled and reprinted.
How many times can the resin be reprinted? Researchers state in the report, published it Nature, that the resin can complete two “recycles.”
In addition to sustainable packaging in the beauty industry, the new resin can be used for rapid prototyping—and in other industries as well, such as fashion, electronics, construction, and architecture.
Professor Andrew Dove from Birmingham’s School of Chemistry, led the research team. The University of Birmingham’s Enterprise division has filed a patent application covering the composition of the resin, and its use in 3D printing—and is seeking development partners.
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