Successful trials of titanium-copper alloys for 3D printing could kickstart a new range of high-performance alloys for medical device and aerospace applications.

What do bones and 3D-printed buildings have in common? They both have columns and beams on the inside that determine how long they last. Now, the discovery of how a "beam" in human bone material handles a lifetime's worth of wear and tear could translate to the development of 3D-printed lightweight materials that last long enough for more practical use in buildings, aircraft and other structures.

The rise of additive manufacturing - or as it's more commonly known, 3D printing - has enabled the rapid production of complex parts across many domains. As the techniques have become more refined, the semiconductor industry has taken note. But until recently, no one's been able to form single-crystal materials - the building block of semiconductors - with traditional additive manufacturing processes.

Optomec has integrated the Huffman AutoCLAD vision system with its LENS directed energy deposition metal 3D printing solutions. AutoCLAD is a proprietary integrated vision and software system that generates a custom toolpath for each part prior to processing.

Scientists have invented a new jelly material that mimics biological matter such as skin, ligaments and bone, and which is very strong, self-healing and able to change shape.

Jumbo Group has announced a partnership with Modern Bionic Limb Solutions Medical Manufacturing for 3D printing of prosthetic covers, orthosis, hand and leg splints, sockets, and other devices in the UAE and GCC region.

Researchers from multiple disciplines are working together to develop bioelectronics that can detect diseases, treat cancers and track marine animals; they may even discover the next generation of computing systems.\r\n

Apis Cor recently completed 3D printed wall structures of a two-story administrative building for the Dubai Municipality. Standing at 9.5 meters tall with an area of 640 square meters, it is the largest 3D printed building to date.

Scientists have developed a novel elastocaloric cooling material, comprised of a nickel-titanium alloy and sculpted using additive technology, that is highly efficient, eco-friendly and easily scaled-up for commercial use.

A new 3D-printing method allows manufacturers to better customize carbon microelectrodes used as biomedical implants. These implants are used to record signals from the brain or nervous system.

Producing glass objects using 3D printing is not easy. Only a few groups of researchers around the world have attempted to produce glass using additive methods. Some have made objects by printing molten glass, but the disadvantage is that this requires extremely high temperatures and heat-​resistant equipment.

A rundown of the most innovative companies at Formnext 2019\r\n

Markforged announced Wärtsilä has achieved a breakthrough with the development of a 3D printed composite lifting tool for its engines.

Stratasys announced its Rail Industry Solution to help passenger trains - from long-haul to urban metros - run on time more frequently and potentially save thousands of euros a day.

Renishaw is collaborating with Sandvik Additive Manufacturing to qualify new additive manufacturing materials for production applications. This encompasses a broad range of metal powders, including new alloy compositions that are optimised for the laser powder bed fusion process and which provide superior material properties.

Siemens announced the official launch and general availability of the Siemens Additive Manufacturing Network, following pilots and successful implementations with customers and partners, including Decathlon, Siemens Gas & Power, Siemens Mobility, HP and Materialise.

Repairing and reusing plastics and delivering cancer drugs more effectively are only two of many of the potential applications a new 3D/4D printing technology might have, thanks to the pioneering work of a research collaboration between UNSW Sydney and The University of Auckland.

To continue to expand its position as a leading service provider in the additive manufacturing sector, BASF New Business GmbH has formally agreed to acquire the online 3D printing service provider Sculpteo.

MakerBot announces the METHOD Materials Development Program and MakerBot LABS Experimental Extruder for METHOD to enable 3D printing with a wide range of engineering-grade materials from leading filament suppliers.