A renewably sourced, circular photopolymer resin for additive manufacturing. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38750360/)

These scientists found a new way to make 3D-printed parts that are not only high-quality but also can be recycled and used again. They used a special kind of material called photopolymer resin, which is made from renewable sources. This material can be turned into 3D-printed objects using light, and then broken down back into its original form to be used again.

The scientists made this new material by using a component called lipoates instead of the usual ones like (meth)acrylates. This change allowed them to create a material that can be easily recycled and reused without losing its quality. They were able to adjust the material's composition to make different types of objects with different properties, similar to other materials used in 3D printing.

In simpler terms, these scientists discovered a way to make 3D-printed objects that can be used again and again, helping to reduce waste and make the process more sustainable.

Machado TO., Stubbs CJ., Chiaradia V., Alraddadi MA., Brandolese A., Worch JC., Dove AP. A renewably sourced, circular photopolymer resin for additive manufacturing. Nature. 2024 May 15. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07399-9.