Dialling up performance for on demand manufacturing
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering
Abstract
3D Printing elicits tremendous excitement from a broad variety of industry - it offers flexible, personalised and on demand scalable manufacture, affording the opportunity to create new products with geometrical / compositional freedoms and advanced functions that are not possible with traditional manufacturing practices. 3D Printing progresses rapidly: for polymerics, we have seen significant advances in our ability to be able to manufacture highly functional structures with high resolution projection through developments in projection micro stereolithography, multimaterial ink jet printing and two photon polymerisation. There have also been exciting advances in volumetric 3DP with the emergence of Computational Axial Lithography and more recent work such as 'xolo'. Alongside these advances there has also been developments in materials, e.g., in the emergence of '4D printing' using responsive polymers and machine learning / AI on 3DP is beginning to be incorporated into our understanding. The impact of these advances is significant, but 3D printing technology is reaching a tipping point where the multiple streams of effort (materials, design, process, product) must be brought together to overcome the barriers that prevent mass take up by industry, i.e., materials produced can often have poor performance and it is challenging to match them to specific processes, with few options available to change this. Industry in general have not found it easy to adopt this promising technology or exploit advanced functionality of materials or design, and this is particularly true in the biotech industries who we target in this programme grant - there is the will and the aspiration to adopt 3D printing but the challenges in going from concept to realisation are currently too steep.
A key challenge stymying the adoption of 3D printing is the ability to go from product idea to product realisation: each step of the workflow (e.g., materials, design, process, product) has significant inter-dependent challenges that means only an integrated approach can ultimately be successful. Industry tells us that they need to go significantly beyond current understanding and that manufacturing products embedded with advanced functionality needs the capability to quickly, predictably, and reliably 'dial up' performance, to meet sector specific needs and specific advanced functionalities. In essence, we need to take a bottom-up, scientific approach to integrate materials, design and process to enable us to produce advanced functional products. It is therefore critical we overcome the challenges associated with identifying, selecting, and processing materials with 3DP in order to facilitate wider adoption of this pivotal manufacturing approach, particularly within the key UK sectors of the economy: regenerative medicine, pharmaceutical and biocatalysis.
Our project will consider four Research Challenges (RCs):
PRODUCT: How can we exploit 3D printing and advanced polymers to create smart 21st Century products ready for use across multiple sectors?
MATERIALS: How can we create the materials that can enable control over advanced functionality / release, that are 3D Printable?
DESIGN: How can we use computational / algorithmic approaches to support materials identification / product design?
PROCESS: How can we integrate synthesis, screening and manufacturing processes to shorten the development and translation pipeline so that we can 'dial up' materials / properties?
By integrating these challenges, and taking a holistic, overarching view on how to realise advanced, highly functional bespoke 3D printed products that have the potential to transform UK high value biotechnology fields and beyond.
A key challenge stymying the adoption of 3D printing is the ability to go from product idea to product realisation: each step of the workflow (e.g., materials, design, process, product) has significant inter-dependent challenges that means only an integrated approach can ultimately be successful. Industry tells us that they need to go significantly beyond current understanding and that manufacturing products embedded with advanced functionality needs the capability to quickly, predictably, and reliably 'dial up' performance, to meet sector specific needs and specific advanced functionalities. In essence, we need to take a bottom-up, scientific approach to integrate materials, design and process to enable us to produce advanced functional products. It is therefore critical we overcome the challenges associated with identifying, selecting, and processing materials with 3DP in order to facilitate wider adoption of this pivotal manufacturing approach, particularly within the key UK sectors of the economy: regenerative medicine, pharmaceutical and biocatalysis.
Our project will consider four Research Challenges (RCs):
PRODUCT: How can we exploit 3D printing and advanced polymers to create smart 21st Century products ready for use across multiple sectors?
MATERIALS: How can we create the materials that can enable control over advanced functionality / release, that are 3D Printable?
DESIGN: How can we use computational / algorithmic approaches to support materials identification / product design?
PROCESS: How can we integrate synthesis, screening and manufacturing processes to shorten the development and translation pipeline so that we can 'dial up' materials / properties?
By integrating these challenges, and taking a holistic, overarching view on how to realise advanced, highly functional bespoke 3D printed products that have the potential to transform UK high value biotechnology fields and beyond.
Publications
Jenkins E
(2024)
High capacitance freestanding PEDOT:PSS electrodes for low-frequency electric field delivery
in AIP Advances
Krumins E
(2024)
Glycerol-based sustainably sourced resin for volumetric printing.
in Green chemistry : an international journal and green chemistry resource : GC
Ma Y
(2024)
Enhancing the 3D printing fidelity of vat photopolymerization with machine learning-driven boundary prediction
in Materials & Design
Ozkendir O
(2024)
Engineering periodontal tissue interfaces using multiphasic scaffolds and membranes for guided bone and tissue regeneration.
in Biomaterials advances
Rivers G
(2024)
Enabling high-fidelity personalised pharmaceutical tablets through multimaterial inkjet 3D printing with a water-soluble excipient
in Materials Today Advances
Tian Z
(2024)
Optimising printing fidelity of the single-nozzle based multimaterial direct ink writing for 3D food printing
in Virtual and Physical Prototyping
Wang B
(2024)
Integrating 3D Printed Grinding Tools and Closed-Loop Temperature Management for Optimal Surgical Outcomes
in Advanced Materials Technologies
Description | A biopesticidal lease of life for crop protection : additive manufacturing for tailored timing of biopesticide release by natural triggers |
Amount | £129,319 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/X005399/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2022 |
End | 07/2023 |
Description | Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) |
Amount | £88,533 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/X527257/1 |
Organisation | Henry Royce Institute |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2023 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | RSC EDI funding: Socioeconomic Inclusion Special Call 2023 (VCC) |
Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2023 |
End | 12/2024 |
Description | Researcher Development and Travel Grant (Seminar and visit collaborators at 'Sapienza' University of Rome) |
Amount | £500 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2023 |
End | 10/2023 |
Description | UNICAS - Supporting cross-disciplinary research (internal funding): Developing microneedle for wound healing using two-photon photopolymerisation |
Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2023 |
End | 07/2023 |
Description | University of Nottingham: EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account |
Amount | £56,265 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Second line material for Reactive Jetting |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2023 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | University of Nottingham: EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (RO) |
Amount | £36,600 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Advancement of research on Next Generation Bone Graft Substitutes towards commercialisation |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2024 |
End | 01/2025 |
Description | UoN Equipment: Pipeline MergeOne (RW) |
Amount | £56,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2023 |
End | 03/2024 |
Title | Eco-friendly fungicide (VCC) |
Description | A material that could replace current fungicides (i.e. anti-fungal pesticides), increase food security, and help protect wildlife has been discovered (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/eco-friendly-fungicide-alternative-discovered-by-nottingham-researchers). |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2024 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Researchers at the University of Nottingham have completed a successful field trial of a material they have developed to help to protect crops from fungi. Coverage on: Phys.org, Mirage News, Food & Drink International, Sky, Technology Networks and Farmers guardian, Green Chemistry |
Description | 3D-Printing of SERS sensor using two-photon photopolymerisation (KJ with JI/UoWarwick) |
Organisation | University of Warwick |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | 3D-printing and characterisation of micro-arrays. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysing Effect of the printed arrays on sensitivity of SERS |
Impact | Enhance sensitivity of Raman SERS electrode by creating high surface area electrode using high-precision 3D-printing |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Collaboration with UC Berkeley to use VAM for vascularisation |
Organisation | University of California, Berkeley |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are exchanging and hosting researchers to work together to solve a challenging issue. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners are hosting researchers from the project. |
Impact | None |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | ToF-SIMS analysis of multimaterial printed Proteins (GelMA)- KJ |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Multimaterial printing of protein |
Collaborator Contribution | ToF-SIMS analysis of multimaterial printed Proteins (GelMA) |
Impact | High-resolution additive manufacturing enables rapid production of diverse micro-needle geometries with features like barbs for improved skin retention and controlled drug release. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | 2023 Cambridge Bioelectronics Symposium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Organised the Cambridge Bioelectronics Symposium, an event that combined comprehensive coverage of the state-of-the-art of the field with strong participation of young scientists (graduate students/postdocs), hands-on workshops, and career furthering opportunities. It offered: Coverage of fundamentals, materials, devices, applications, translation/commercialisation, ethical issues. Invited talks by world-class experts who convey their vision for the future of the field. Majority of contributed talks and posters presented by young scientists, selected by a committee of young scientists. Hands-on demonstrations: Interested in bioelectronics but do not know where to start? These demonstrations will give you some good ideas. Thematic panel discussion or road mapping exercise - more on this soon. "Meet the industry" session. Learn about startups in the field. Awards for best contributed talk and poster, selected by a committee of young scientists. Symposium dinner. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://bioelectronics.eng.cam.ac.uk/symposium-information |
Description | Engineering Research Future (ERF) Committee (VCC member of the committee) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Contribute ideas of how to create an excellent environment for our researchers, share any best practice and challenges from their groups, and to communicate relevant information or events to their groups |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Festival of Science and Creativity (FOSAC) - Outreach event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Engaged with school groups in a science festival, demonstrating our research to kids interested in STEM. Made students and teachers aware of our research and increased their opinion of our group/institution. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | High Polymer Research Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | National conference where developments in polymer science and engineering are made available and fully discussed by industrial and academic researchers engaged in the field. The theme of the HPRG 2023 was 'Polymer in Water' which was of high relevance for the development of new materials for the bioreactor. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Materials Research Society Conference in Boston |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | RMO gave a plenary presentation (Kavli sponsored Symposium X talk). This is one of the lectures that does not occur at the same time as the parallel symposium sessions and so had a potential audience of ~5000. Approximately ~800 people attended. RMO gave an overview of the organ on chip technology that is the subject of this Proof of Concept grant. The talk she gave is summarised here: https://materials.typepad.com/mrs_meeting_scene/symposium-x/ She also gave a more technical talk (on the same subject) to a smaller group of people at the same conference - more focussed on organic bioelectronics ~40 people attended. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t7xx6wDUvI |
Description | Nucleate UK pitch |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | KK made a pitch to the Nucleate UK accelerator. A student led organisation that represents a global community of bio innovators. The pitch was to have access to the accelerator and seed funding. Unfortunately the pitch wasn't successful, however the experience was invaluable and helped shaped future pitches. KK applied for, and was successful in, joining the Innovate iCURE program - first explore and now exploit. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://nucleate.xyz/ |
Description | Plenary presentation - Micro Nano 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Gave plennary presentation at Micro Nano meeting |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://2023.micro-nano.gr/plenary-speakers/ |
Description | Plenary presentation - NanoBio 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Gave plenary talk at NanoBio |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://nanobioconf.com/ |
Description | Plenary presentation - RSC Chemical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Interest Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Gave keynote talk at national meeting |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/76838/rsc-chemical-nanoscience-and-nanotechnology-network-annual-s... |
Description | Public Seminar on Bioelectronic Medicine, University of Linkoping, Sweden. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public seminar on the occasion of award of honorary doctorate, reaching current members, alumni and steakholders of Linkoping University. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | RSC EDI funding: Socioeconomic Inclusion Special Call 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Levelling Up: Chemistry will support attainment- and aspiration-raising of Year 12 students from Nottingham and the surrounding area. From February to December, students engage in weekly tutorials and mentoring to support their journey to HE. VCC received a grant of £5,000 (reported at Further funding) to support this activity. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition- 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Programme Grant Dialling Up Performance for on Demand Manufacturing team, consisting of researchers ( PhD student and post-docs), investigators, technical support. presented: "Personalised printing for pills: Can we print your perfect pill?" , i.e. the biopill concept to general public at the Royal Society. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2023/07/personalised-printing-for-pills/ |
Description | Seminar at Strathclyde University (AGT) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Provided more awareness of 3D printing of personalised medication and better overview of implementing AI in additive manufacturing. Initiation of collaboration with University of Strathclyde on microfluidics. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | iSmart Distinguished Lecture of the International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 17,000 people joined online for this lecture |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qIJrRlQhwiP0SdAiu9vxWQ |