3D Printing Advancements
Company Overview & Origin
Tessella Biosciences: A startup spun out of McMaster University by co-founders Professor Jose Moran-Mirabal (materials engineering/chemistry) and the speaker (lung researcher).
The Problem: Traditional lab research is conducted on flat, hard, two-dimensional plastic dishes, failing to accurately mimic the dynamic, three-dimensional breathing movement of real lungs.
The Solution: The founders developed a novel material enabling 3D lung models that stretch and breathe just like human lungs.
The Future of 3D Bioprinting
Broader Industry Impact: 3D printing is transforming fields like automotive design and customized patient prosthetics.
Medical Evolution: Bioprinting aims to eventually print human replacement parts, starting small (repairing/regenerating small tissue portions) and potentially advancing to full organs.
Phased Roadmap:
Near-Term: Developing and testing new drugs using 3D tissue technology.
Long-Term: Repairing and replacing damaged lung tissue for conditions like COPD and fibrosis via transplantation and implantation.
Milestones & Ecosystem
Commercial Success: Completed initial product sales in December, backed by strong feedback and positive testimonials from early beta testers.
Academic Support: McMaster University's entrepreneurship programs empower traditional academics to take commercial risks, bringing laboratory discoveries to market to directly impact society.
ICON is a construction technology company developing robotic and AI systems to lower the cost and increase the speed and quality of construction. Take a deeper look into how our advanced technology turns raw materials into resilient, sustainable structures as we guide you through the process and how this innovation is redefining the way we build.
Key Upgrades in Version Two
Core & Strength: Replaced the plastic core with a massive steel screw to significantly boost structural strength.
Shin: Redesigned aesthetically and printed from a durable carbon fiber nylon blend.
Socket: Upgraded with TPU diamond-slotted flaps, a specialized cable, and a micro-adjustment dial system to easily and securely fit any size or shape.
Feet: Revamped with dynamically responsive, customizable TPU designs that can be fine-tuned to the wearer's weight and gait, and easily swapped out for different sizes or densities.
Availability
Open Source: The entire design is completely open source.
Resources: Additional information can be found on their website, YouTube channel, and Thingiverse.
Evolution & Milestones
History: Began in the 1980s with stereolithography; expanded to rapid prototyping in the 1990s, space-based printing in the 2000s (ISS, Boeing/Airbus usage), and a major production turning point when GE combined 18 parts into a single 3D-printed fuel nozzle for the Leap engine.
Key Players: Led by agencies and institutions like NASA and MIT, aerospace giants like GE Aviation, Boeing, and Airbus, and startups like Relativity Space.
Materials & Methods
Materials Used: Advanced titanium alloys (engines), lightweight polymers like PEEK (brackets), and heat-resistant ceramics.
Techniques & Standards: Uses methods like laser powder bed fusion, adhering to strict safety certifications mandated by the FAA and ESA.
Key Benefits
Lighter & More Efficient: Enables complex lattice structures that boost fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and create designs impossible via traditional manufacturing.
Cost & Waste Reduction: Cuts inventory costs through on-demand spare part printing, reduces assembly steps by consolidating components, and minimizes material waste for greater sustainability.
The Future of Aerospace 3D Printing
Next-Gen Tech: Developing multi-material printers (combining metals and polymers), AI-optimized designs, and graphene composites.
Space Exploration: NASA and SpaceX exploring space-based 3D printing to construct lunar bases.
Wider Adoption: Broader integration into everyday commercial aircraft as certification processes continue to evolve.
Check out our newest released version of pib, the humanoid robot from the 3D printer. With new and optimized features and functions it is now even more user friendly, works faster and opens up new possibilites in the fields of open-source robotics & AI! All 3D Print Files and Building Manuals are free to download on our website pib.rocks.
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