Trees and other plants produce cellulose themselves and use it to build complex structures with extraordinary mechanical properties.
In order to create objects of almost unlimited complexity that contain high levels of cellulose particles, a group of researchers at ETH Zurich has found a way to process cellulose using 3D printing .
Cellulose
This is not the first time that something like this has been achieved, but previous approaches had not been able to produce solid objects with such high cellulose content and complexity.
To achieve this milestone , the research of which has been published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials , the researchers combined direct ink writing (DIW) printing with a subsequent densification process to increase the cellulose content of the printed object to a volume fraction 27% .
The composition of the printing ink consists only of water in which cellulose particles and fibers measuring a few hundred nanometers have been dispersed. The cellulose content is between six and 14% of the ink volume.
Using this method, the researchers were able to fabricate various composite objects, including some of a delicate nature, such as a type of furnace sculpture only 1 millimeter thick .
In addition, depending on the type of plastic precursor used, researchers can adjust the mechanical properties of printed objects, such as their elasticity or strength.
Although the pieces obtained are small, there are many potential applications, from custom packaging to cartilage replacement ear implants.