Imagine a building material that becomes stronger when stress is applied. Imagine being able to produce medications on demand, anywhere, with a 3D printer. Imagine biodegradable plastics with the same durability — but more adaptability — than their petroleum-based counterparts.
Alshakim Nelson, UW professor of chemistry and Nist Faculty Fellow, can imagine all of it. Nelson’s research team develops innovative materials using 3D-printing technology, with potential real-world applications in medicine, engineering, and other areas.
While researchers in other fields develop 3D printer hardware and software, Nelson’s team focuses on the material being used for printing, with sustainability as a priority. Finding no commercially available materials that were suitable, they began creating their own.
“We needed a material that was 3D printable and biodegradable but also had good mechanical properties,” he says. “It had to be competitive with the commercial plastics [for 3D printing] that are out there today.”
