Searching for biological feedstock material: 3D printing of wood particles from house borer and drywood termite frass.

Rudy Plarre,Anna A Gorbushina,Alexander Funk,Andrea Zocca,Andrea Spitzer,Sigrid Benemann,Jens Günster,Janka Wilbig,Anja Waske,Yuexuan Li,Amitava Mukherjee

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0246511

Abstract

Frass (fine powdery refuse or fragile perforated wood produced by the activity of boring insects) of larvae of the European house borer (EHB) and of drywood termites was tested as a natural and novel feedstock for 3D-printing of wood-based materials. Small particles produced by the drywood termite Incisitermes marginipennis and the EHB Hylotrupes bajulus during feeding in construction timber, were used. Frass is a powdery material of particularly consistent quality that is essentially biologically processed wood mixed with debris of wood and faeces. The filigree-like particles flow easily permitting the build-up of wood-based structures in a layer wise fashion using the Binder Jetting printing process. The quality of powders produced by different insect species was compared along with the processing steps and properties of the printed parts. Drywood termite frass with a Hausner Ratio HR = 1.1 with ρBulk = 0.67 g/cm3 and ρTap = 0.74 g/cm3 was perfectly suited to deposition of uniformly packed layers in 3D printing. We suggest that a variety of naturally available feedstocks could be used in environmentally responsible approaches to scientific material sciences/additive manufacturing.

Highlights

Anthropogenic perturbations of natural ecosystems are omnipresent: materials and products of human activity are superimposed on natural cycles everywhere
We considered wood processed by the drywood termites Incisitermes marginipennis and the European house borer (EHB) Hylotrupes bajulus as feedstocks for 3D printing
The quality of the powdery feedstocks, the so-called frass, provided by these insects during feeding in construction timber was very different in terms of processability in 3D printing

Summary

Introduction

Anthropogenic perturbations of natural ecosystems are omnipresent: materials and products of human activity are superimposed on natural cycles everywhere. According to Schellnhuber 1999 [1] there are two main components: the ecosphere N and the human factor H. N consists of intricate linkages between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, etc, while the human factor H aggregates all actions and products along with a metaphysical component of human activity. Sustainable coevolution of the ecosphere and the anthroposphere requires fresh scientific attitudes and approaches, including completely new ways of manufacturing. The ever-increasing human impact on the planet requires the deliberate coupling of natural feedstocks to novel.

Methods

Results

Conclusion