______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3D Printing
technology has never been higher . Now considered a ‘ tool in the toolbox ’, AM is a viable technology across a range of new sectors , including space , defense , medical implants and consumer goods and apparel . As such the research agenda is focusing on the next generation of technologies , ones that are more sustainable , reducing waste in both part and process , to provide reliable and repeatable material properties , that can be tailored to design need . Longer term , the development of multi-material AM / 3DP processes looks to be a gamechanger , producing entire systems with significant additional functionality in the part through the incorporation of functional materials , such as pharmaceuticals , electronics , biological or optical componentry . ■
Chris Tuck www . nottingham . ac . uk
Chris Tuck is Professor of Materials Engineering in the Centre for Additive Manufacturing at The University of Nottingham UK . Ranked 24 in Europe and 15th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings : Europe 2024 , the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities . The University is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research , positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021 .
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