3D Printing News
Note: we are now including articles on plant-based foods in the field of vegan nutrition.

When considering cultivated meat production (industry jargon for non-animal-based meat), a suggestion is made for using "agricultural side-stream". That phrase refers to all plant-based waste and by-products being used to create new meat. Other designations for non-animal-based meat include cell-based meat, clean meat, or in-vitro meat. Human population is projected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050, meaning that increased food will be essential. Meat and dairy production occupy 83% of agricultural farmland while yielding only 18% of the world's calories and 37% of the world's protein. Current livestock production adds to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, degradation of habitats, and depletion of oxygen with ecosystem damage. Replacing livestock with a plant substitute will require wisespread use of alternatives.

The University of Glasgow is producing self-monitoring thermo-plastic materials, known as Auxetic materials. These materials can can increase in width rather than length when pulled. The new work is based on PEEK, an industrial grade thermoplastic which achieves self-sensing through the integration of carbon nanotubes.

From Australia, we learn how to do glow-in-the-dark 3D printing by adding phosphorescent materials to standard PLA. The glow is released by exposure to UV light, available from sunlight, a torch, or some indoor lighting. Suggestions include a thicker wall and higher infill, while staying away from small, thin prints.

For the first time, researchers have 3D printed microscopic elephants and barcodes inside of cells without altering the DNA by using a liquid called a photoresist. The liquid solidifies when exposed to laser beams. Previously this process didn't work because most photo-resist materials are toxic to cells and the injection was likely to rupture the cell membrane. Now, however, a new method is based on TPP (two-photon polymerization), meaning the use of 2 laser photons at once and a precise highly-focused laser beam. This enabled the engineers to build detailed 3D printed structures without damage to the rest of the cell. The scientists also chose a biocompatible photoresist that tends to be less toxic. The new process is described as "inherently risky". Optimistic projections focus on tracking diseases or designing smart cells with new capabilities.

Take a look at Stractra, an organic futuristic watch. Designed using parametric modeling and Selective Laser Sintering, the watch features an all-metal case made of titanium with a sand-blasted look. Note that it has not yet been fabricated. Viewers might want to also investigate watches made by MB&F, sold for the past 20 Years with a hefty price tag.

Safe methods for 3D printing at home are suggested in this article. You are reminded that the fumes from the printer are poisonous, filled with VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can cause breathing issues, rashes, headaches, or long-term illnesses from printing, cleaming. and curing, even if you can't smell them. Differeent types of ventilation are discussed in detail.

The author of this article describes his experiences buying and wearing a pair of 3D printed sneakers. He compares his trial in 2024 to a more recent one, addressing proper fit, cost, customer service, and availability.

Science Daily reports that we might soon be looking beyond 3D printing to tiny machines that assemble themselves. Engineers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science are using voxel-like building blocks and an algorithm named MOSES to make tiny devices in parallel. This self-assembly takes place in water wells. Their reference point was the Empire State Building in Manhattan, in which 102 stories were built one piece at a time, as well as the basic biomolecular building blocks of DNA. Called a "DNA origami" method, it builds on DNA folding, where the initial starting sequence is the biggest challenge.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has announced its list of the Best Vegan Breakfast sandwich restaurants in the U.S. Alternatives to egg-based dishes include tofu bacon, vegan sausage, and dairy-free cheese.

The European Commission is planning to stop companies that make plant-based food from using "meaty" words like pork, beef, and chicken. The Commission hopes to increase transparency, but there is already a back-lash from producers of so-called cultured foods. Previously the Court of Justice of the European Union had ruled that the animal terms were acceptable as long as the ingredients were clearly shown on the label. In addition, the European Vegetarian Union objects to what it calls "an undue restriction of European entrepreneurship and innovation."

A new sponge has been developed that claims to turn seawater into clean drinking water using sunlight. For some time now, engineers have been trying to develop sun-powered materials for water purification. The new aerogel process, while fairly complex, seems capable of accomplishing the task. Funding for the project came from agencies in China and Hong Kong.

IBM has been given a patent to design 3D printed buildings in VR (virtual reality). The process will allow simulations before actual construction to test for environmental factors like noise, lighting, airflow, and temperature. This feedback will enable architects to make adjustments to their blueprints. The patent is fairly broad-based, applying not only to residences but to commercial buildings as well.

Engineers at MIT have developed a 3D print implant under the skin for diabetic patients. The process employs a chip that can be wirelessly activated to release medication. The chip holds powdered glucagon that is released when blood sugar drops too low, as can occur during sleep. At the moment, the chips can hold up to 4 doses, lasting 4 weeks. The method has only been tested in mice, with human trials to start in a few years.

As you can see from the above controversies, many companies are using high-tech and confusing language to disguise the fact that plastics are part of their product or their process, especially in the food industry. Buyer beware. Demand an easy-to-understand explanation before you eat or buy.

We review many hundreds of articles each month, culling the most significant for you. We also welcome suggestions from our viewers for products and processes that we may have missed.

c.Corinne Whitaker 2025