Researchers at Rice University have unlocked the potential to use 3D printing to make sustainable wood structures, offering a greener alternative to traditional manufacturing methods.
Wood has historically been marred by wasteful practices generated during shaping processes, driving up costs and environmental impact. Now, researchers in materials science and nanoengineering at Rice have developed an additive-free, water-based ink made of lignin and cellulose, the fundamental building blocks of wood. The ink can be used to produce architecturally intricate wood structures via a 3D printing technique known as direct ink writing.
The work was recently published in the journal Science Advances.
"The ability to create a wood structure directly from its own natural components sets the stage for a more eco-friendly and innovative future," said Muhammad Rahman, an assistant research professor of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice. "It heralds a new era of sustainable 3D-printed wood construction."
The implications are far-reaching, potentially revolutionizing industries such as furniture and construction.
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