living materials

Revolutionizing Materials: 3D Printing Living Bacteria into Functional Complex Structures

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What Happened Researchers have advanced the frontier of additive manufacturing by successfully 3D printing living bacteria into complex, functional materials, as reported by Science | AAAS. This breakthrough integrates living microorganisms directly into printed architectures, enabling the creation of materials that are not only structurally complex but also biologically active and functional. Why It Matters … Read more

Revolutionizing Defense Manufacturing: The Rise of Living Materials in Additive Manufacturing at NUWC Keyport

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What Happened The U.S. Department of War recently highlighted groundbreaking advancements at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Keyport, where additive manufacturing (AM) is being leveraged to introduce cost-saving innovations (source). While the article focuses broadly on additive manufacturing’s cost efficiencies, emerging trends suggest integration with smart and bio-embedded materials—specifically living materials—is an under-covered frontier … Read more

Innovative Living Materials: Coffee Grounds and Fungal Mycelium as Sustainable 3D Printing Substitutes for Packing Foam

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What Happened A recent study highlighted by Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine showcases an innovative use of waste coffee grounds combined with fungal mycelium to create a biodegradable material that could replace traditional packing foam. This living material leverages the natural growth properties of fungi to bind coffee waste into a lightweight, durable, and … Read more

ETH Zurich’s 3D Printed Living Material Revolutionizes CO2 Capture and Storage

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What Happened Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a groundbreaking 3D printed living material capable of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂). This innovative development combines the fields of additive manufacturing and synthetic biology to create a bio-embedded material that actively interacts with its environment. The original report by 3D Printing Industry highlights this novel … Read more

Unlocking the Future of 3D Printing with Living Materials: Innovations and Insights

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What Happened? Recent developments in 3D printing have increasingly focused on integrating living materials—biological components embedded within printed structures—to create smart, responsive, and sustainable products. This emerging frontier was highlighted in a recent overview of 3D printing applications and processes by Vajiram & Ravi. While the article primarily covers broad 3D printing technologies, it touches … Read more

Revolutionizing 3D Printing with PrismSlicer: Unlocking Photorealistic Multi-Material Fabrication and the Future of Living Materials

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What Happened? In a notable development for the 3D printing community, Additive Appearance has introduced PrismSlicer, a photorealistic software solution designed to tackle the complexities of multi-material 3D printing. Released in May 2025, this software promises unprecedented control and visualization capabilities for fabricators working with diverse materials—including emerging smart and bio-embedded substances known as living … Read more

Harnessing Living Materials: The Rise of Microalgae-Based Sustainable 3D Printing

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What Happened? Recent research highlighted in Wiley Online Library explores the untapped potential of microalgae as sustainable materials in 3D printing. This emerging field leverages living microalgae to create bio-embedded materials that can be printed into functional structures, opening new frontiers in environmentally friendly additive manufacturing. Why It Matters The integration of living materials like … Read more