3DP Technology Research Articles

Effect of alkali metal sulfates on hydration properties of alpha-calcium sulfate hemihydrate for 3D printing

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology is an important means of achieving decorative convenience, personalization, and functional integration for future building construction. However, the setting time and hydration process of calcium sulfate hemihydrate (HH) present chanllenges for the 3DP application. This study aims to investigate the accelerating effect of alkali metal sulfates accelerators on the hydration transformation of HH into calcium sulfate dihydrate (DH). The setting time, conductivity, Ca2+ ion concentration, size distribution, and zeta (ζ) potential of gypsum slurries with different accelerators were measured. The results demonstrated that the accelerators significantly enhanced the hydration process of αlpha-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-HH). On the effect of accelerators, the setting times of gypsum slurries containing 30 wt% lithium sulfate (LS), sodium sulfate (NS) and potassium sulfate (KS) were accelerated by 82.56 %, 86.06 % and 97.13 %, respectively, compared to the control sample. The crystal particle sizes of hydration products decreased, and the absolute values of ζ potential increased to 1.85 mV, 3.1 mV, and 5.3 mV, respectively. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed a shift in the peak values of the hardened specimens towards higher electric fields. This was accompanied by improved ion dispersion within the slurry, resulting in enhanced supersaturation of calcium sulfate dihydrate and crystallization of the crystal nuclei. Thus, the suitable accelerators can effectively achieve rapid solidification and hardening of high-fluidity gypsum slurries.

Applicability of 3D concrete printing technology in building construction with different architectural design decisions in housing

3D Printing (3DP) technology, one of the layered production methodologies where design and construction configurations can be made with increasing digitalization and Industry 4.0, is one of the leading techniques of the period. 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) also comes to the fore in the construction industry. The study aims to observe the impact of architectural design decisions on the 3DCP process by developing controlled and consistent design alternatives. Architectural designs developed with different geometric forms in the housing function were subjected to digital planning, 3DCP preparation, and 3DCP prototype final product stages. In the integration of design and 3D concrete printing (3DCP), two key aspects were investigated: (i) the impact of different geometric forms (square, rectangle, hexagon, octagon, circle, and ellipse) on the buildability performance of 3D-printed structures, and (ii) how variations in design details influence printing time, material consumption, cost, and the feasibility of mass production in architectural applications. For the 3DCP process, 3D-printable cementitious mixture was developed, and a 3D printer with dimensions of 100 x 100 x 40 centimeters was used. The results obtained during the printing process were analyzed in comparison with the building evaluation parameters. As a result, the house with circular geometry showed the optimum behavior according to the parameters of buildability, cost, and mass producibility. The circle geometric form provides a 4.2% advantage over the octagon in terms of buildability, a 16.6% advantage over the ellipse in terms of cost, and a 20% advantage over the ellipse in terms of mass producibility.

Current developments and advancements of 3-dimensional printing in personalized medication and drug screening.

3-Dimensional printing (3DP) is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique that is expanding quickly because of its low cost and excellent efficiency. The 3D printing industry grew by 19.5 % in 2021 in spite of the COVID-19 epidemic, and by 2026, the worldwide market is expected to be valued up to 37.2 billion US dollars. Science Direct, Scopus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, DOAJ, and other academic databases provide evidence of the increased interest in 3DP technology and innovative drug delivery approaches in recent times. In this review four main 3DP technologies that are appropriate for pharmaceutical applications: extrusion-based, powder-based, liquid-based, and sheet lamination-based systems are discussed. This study is focused on certain 3DP technologies that may be used to create dosage forms, pharmaceutical goods, and other items with broad regulatory acceptance and technological viability for use in commercial manufacturing. It also discusses pharmaceutical applications of 3DP in drug delivery and drug screening. The pharmaceutical sector has seen the prospect of 3D printing in risk assessment, medical personalisation, and the manufacture of complicated dose formulas at a reasonable cost. AM has great promise to revolutionise the manufacturing and use of medicines, especially in the field of personalized medicine. The need to understand more about the potential applications of 3DP in medical and pharmacological contexts has grown over time.

An Overview of Three-Dimensional Printing in Pharmaceutical Technology

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) in pharmaceutical technology is a new technique that can build the desired objects directly from CAD models using a layer-by-layer material build-up approach. This article presents an overview of the 3DP technique with a brief look into the history of the 3DP process and various methods like stereolithography, fused deposition method, hot melt extrusion, polyjet, etc., their merits and demerits, and applications of 3DP in pharmaceutical technology. The challenges 3DP has surmounted in the areas of pharmaceutical and biomedical research related to additive manufacturing are outlined in this review.. The use of 3DP has increased recently. Personalized medicine may now have access to a whole new range of options due to 3DP. The concept of specialists and researchers is to create customized oral pills using 3DP. Since technology is still developing, any regulations on security, safety, and privacy have yet to exist. Thus, these issues will be of more significant concern shortly. The applications of 3DP technologies in modern drug delivery are highlighted in this article, which expounds on using these technologies for forward-thinking advancements in pharmacy practice.

Building a Stronger Backbone: 3D Printing's Role in Treating Spinal Cord Conditions

AbstractSpinal cord injuries (SCIs) pose significant challenges as complete nerve regeneration remains limited. The demand for improved technologies in SCI treatment is evident. One such emerging technology is three-dimensional printing (3DP), which, coupled with advancements in medical imaging and bioengineering, has significantly enhanced precision in surgical procedures. This systematic review aims to explore 3DP as a treatment option for SCIs, examining its cost, efficacy, safety, and the associated technological constraints. A systematic search of Medline was conducted through PubMed for literature published since 2019. The search results were exported to Rayyan for abstract and full-text screening following predefined criteria. The risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using the RoB2 tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. From a total of 89 articles screened, 11 studies met the eligibility criteria, collectively assessing 237 individuals with various types of SCIs, including lumbar degeneration, en bloc resection of thoracolumbar metastasis, adult spinal deformity, and cervical degeneration. These studies examined the utilization of 3DP devices such as hand orthosis, interbody fusion cages, lamellar titanium cages, artificial vertebral bodies, and others. Most of the reviewed studies reported positive treatment outcomes, with the actual procedure costs varying from $65 to $5,000. Recent literature shows positive outcomes in the use of 3DP technologies for SCIs, highlighting its potential for enhancing both surgical and nonsurgical interventions. These advancements usher in a new era in SCI treatment, providing enhanced precision and a wider range of treatment options, ultimately leading to more comprehensive and effective patient care.

Developing Patient-Derived 3D-Bioprinting models of pancreatic cancer

IntroductionPancreatic cancer (PC) remains a challenging malignancy, and adjuvant chemotherapy is critical in improving patient survival post-surgery. However, the intrinsic heterogeneity of PC necessitates personalized treatment strategies, highlighting the need for reliable preclinical models. ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop novel patient-derived preclinical PC models using three-dimensional bioprinting (3DP) technology. MethodsPatient-derived PC models were established using 3DP technology. Genomic and histological analyses were performed to characterize these models and compare them with corresponding patient tissues. Chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity tests were conducted on the PC 3DP models, and correlations with clinical outcomes were analyzed. ResultsThe study successfully established PC 3DP models with a modeling success rate of 86.96%. These models preserved genomic and histological features consistent with patient tissues. Drug sensitivity testing revealed significant heterogeneity among PC 3DP models, mirroring clinical variability, and potential correlations with clinical outcomes. ConclusionThe PC 3DP models demonstrated their utility as reliable preclinical tools, retaining key genomic and histological characteristics. Importantly, drug sensitivity profiles in these models showed potential correlations with clinical outcomes, indicating their promise in customizing treatment strategies and predicting patient prognoses. Further validation with larger patient cohorts is warranted to confirm their potential clinical utility.

On the micro- and meso-structure and durability of 3D printed concrete elements

3D printed concrete (3DPC) creates opportunities, including a reduction in construction waste and time and increased design freedom. However, because of the differences in the construction technique compared to traditional concrete casting, the structures also perform differently; namely, the micro- and meso-structure and durability are shown to be different. For the 3DP technology to find its way to the market, one needs to be aware of these differences and needs to know how to quantify the above-mentioned properties, as differences in the testing methodologies impose themselves when characterizing printed instead of cast concrete. In this paper, we elaborate on the test methods to investigate the micro- and meso-structure and the durability of 3DPC. We start with a discussion on the micro- and meso-structure of the 3D printed concrete and how it is different from conventional mold-cast concrete. An in-depth discussion of the test methods to assess the durability of 3D printed concrete is outlined. Reported findings related to the two aforementioned properties are discussed. In addition, we report on the technologies proposed to improve the durability performance of 3DPC, and we highlight the remaining challenges and opportunities related to 3DPC.

In vitro comparison of guide planes for removable partial dentures prepared with CAD-CAM-assisted templates, guiding rod templates, and freehand

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM)-assisted templates (CCAT), guiding rod templates (GRT), and freehand (FH) preparation of guide planes. MethodsForty-five identical maxillary resin casts were divided into three groups, in which the guide planes of the two abutment teeth were prepared using a CCAT (n=15), GRT (n=15), and FH (n=15). The CCAT and GRT were digitally designed on a digital cast of virtually prepared guide planes and fabricated using three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology. To assess the 3D trueness, the prepared guide planes were digitally scanned and compared to the virtually designed guide planes. The angle deviation was measured to assess the trueness of the direction of the guide plane preparation. Shapiro–Wilk and Levene's tests were used to check the normality and equivalence of the variance of the data. The data were compared by using the Kruskal‒Wallis H test (α=0.05). ResultsThe CCAT group exhibited significantly better 3D trueness (78.5±19.8 μm) than the GRT group (211.3±42.4 μm, p<0.05) and the FH group (198.9±44.3 μm, p<0.05). Additionally, the CCAT group (1.31±0.50°) showed significantly smaller direction trueness compared to the GRT (4.65±0.72°, p<0.05) and FH (5.64±0.70°, p<0.05) groups. ConclusionsThe novel CAD-CAM-assisted template significantly improved the quality of the guide planes compared with the GRT and FH procedures. This enhancement suggests that removable partial dentures can be predictably inserted immediately after guide plane preparation. Clinical SignificanceCAD-CAM-assisted templates improve the quality of guide plane preparation.

A novel 3D-printed educational model for the training of laparoscopic bile duct Exploration:a pilot study for beginning trainees

BackgroundLaparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is a minimally invasive procedure for the removal of bile duct stones that is often performed by experienced hepatobiliary surgeons; beginners do not easily master this approach. AimTo investigate the effectiveness and practicality of a three-dimensional printed (3DP) anatomical model based on radiographic images in the training of LCBDE techniques and formulate standardized educational workflows. MethodsColored LCBDE training models were produced using 3DP technology. Twenty standardized training trainees were randomly divided into two groups: a 3DP model training group and a traditional laparoscopic simulation training group. Both groups received the same number of teaching hours. After a 4-weeks training course, the trainees’ subjective and objective progress in basic knowledge and manipulations were evaluated and compared. ResultsCompared with traditional laparoscopic simulation, 3DP model simulation training is of great significance in improving trainers' understanding of surgical procedures and cooperation during the operation. Trainees with 3DP models training demonstrated a significant improvement in their understanding of the key points of surgery (χ2 = 6.139, p = 0.013) and skills scores, especially in core procedural steps operation. More importantly, the trainees showed higher levels of satisfaction and self-confidence while assisting in the surgery. ConclusionWith the development of 3DP models, improvements in the learning effect for theoretical understanding and practical skills were significant. The present study is the initial educational experience with 3DP models to facilitate the operational capabilities of the trainees for LCBDE.

Personalization of lipid-based oral dosage forms via filament-based 3D-printing

While filament-based 3D-printing (3DP) is the most utilized 3DP technology in the pharmaceutical field, it has not been demonstrated for processing of drug-loaded lipid-based formulations. This work exploits hexa-glycerol ester of palmitic acid (Pg6-C16-P) as an advanced lipid material, loaded with felodipine as a poorly soluble model drug, for fabricating novel oral solid dosage forms (OSDFs) via filament-based 3D-printing. After material melt-blending, the formulation was extruded using the liquid feeding approach to obtain a mechanically manageable, and hence 3D-printable, drug-loaded lipid filament. The fabrication of geometries with variable infill densities was demonstrated. The extent of infill density was found to significantly impact the optimal printing parameters required to achieve the desired shape. The solid-state analysis confirmed the amorphous state of felodipine after 3DP. The release rate of the drug was studied via in vitro dissolution test and showed to be tunable based on the tablet geometry. It was also possible to tailor the design of the dosage form to perform similarly to a commercial product. The formulation was evidenced as safe via in vitro toxicity studies with improved felodipine solubility. This study establishes filament-based 3DP as an alternative platform viable for fabricating advanced lipid-based OSDFs, and concurrently, promotes Pg6-C16-P as a promising and high performing 3DP lipid material for drug delivery.

Spherical-based porous architectures: In silico design and validation

Porous (or cellular) materials, like wood and bones, are abundantly found in nature for structural purposes. Thanks to the advancements of evolving technologies, the fabrication of intricate cellular structures was possible. Notably, functionally graded porous structures offer superior mechanical and physical properties compared to their uniform counterparts. Additive manufacturing, especially light-based 3D printing (3DP) technologies, has significantly augmented the production of such materials thanks to their high speed, resolution, and cost-efficiency. However, selecting the most suitable porous architecture for one's necessities remains challenging, requiring an optimised workflow supporting 3DP methods with in silico tools to predict the functional properties of the developed porous architecture. This study introduces a preliminary step toward this workflow, involving in silico design and mechanical validation of porous architectures manufactured via low-force stereolithography 3DP. The work proposes for the first time spherical-based functionally graded porous geometries, filling the existing gap in the literature. The proposed structures, categorised upon their pore size, porosity, and pore size gradients, demonstrate potential applications in the biomedical field (e.g., tissue engineering scaffolds and soft bioreactor systems) and outperform other existing porous architectures in terms of energy absorption capabilities. These findings lay the foundation for further workflow optimisation. By coupling our fast method of generation of porous structures and a trained machine learning model to predict desired physical properties, we aim to produce functionalised cellular architectures for biomedical applications.

The Role of 3D-Printed Phantoms and Devices for Organ-specified Appliances in Urology.

Urology is one of the fields that are always at the frontline of bringing scientific advancements into clinical practice, including 3D printing (3DP). This study aims to discuss and presents the current role of 3D-printed phantoms and devices for organ-specified applications in urology. The discussion started with a literature search regarding the two mentioned topics within PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and EBSCOhost databases. 3D-printed urological organ phantoms are reported for providing residents new insight regarding anatomical characteristics of organs, either normal or diseased, in a tangible manner. Furthermore, 3D-printed organ phantoms also helped urologists to prepare a pre-surgical planning strategy with detailed anatomical models of the diseased organs. In some centers, 3DP technology also contributed to developing specified devices for disease management. To date, urologists have been benefitted by 3D-printed phantoms and devices in the education and disease management of organs of in the genitourinary system, including kidney, bladder, prostate, ureter, urethra, penis, and adrenal. It is safe to say that 3DP technology can bring remarkable changes to daily urological practices.

3D Printing Technologies in Metallic Implants: A Thematic Review on the Techniques and Procedures.

Additive manufacturing (AM) is among the most attractive methods to produce implants, the processes are very swift and it can be precisely controlled to meet patient’s requirement since they can be produced in exact shape, dimension, and even texture of different living tissues. Until now, lots of methods have emerged and used in this field with diverse characteristics. This review aims to comprehensively discuss 3D printing (3DP) technologies to manufacture metallic implants, especially on techniques and procedures. Various technologies based on their main properties are categorized, the effecting parameters are introduced, and the history of AM technology is briefly analyzed. Subsequently, the utilization of these AM-manufactured components in medicine along with their effectual variables is discussed, and special attention is paid on to the production of porous scaffolds, taking pore size, density, etc., into consideration. Finally, 3DP of the popular metallic systems in medical applications such as titanium, Ti6Al4V, cobalt-chromium alloys, and shape memory alloys are studied. In general, AM manufactured implants need to comply with important requirements such as biocompatibility, suitable mechanical properties (strength and elastic modulus), surface conditions, custom-built designs, fast production, etc. This review aims to introduce the AM technologies in implant applications and find new ways to design more sophisticated methods and compatible implants that mimic the desired tissue functions.

Application of three-dimensional printed models with near-infrared fluorescence technology in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery segmentectomy: a single-center propensity-score matching analysis.

The combination of three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology and near-infrared fluorescence (NIF) technology using indocyanine green (ICG) has demonstrated significant potential in enhancing surgical margin and safety, as well as simplifying segmental resection. However, there is limited literature available on the integrated use of these techniques. The current study assessed the effectiveness and value of integrating 3DP-NIF technologies in the perioperative outcomes of thoracoscopic segmental lung resection. This single-center, retrospective study recruited 165 patients with pulmonary nodules who underwent thoracoscopic segmentectomy. Eligible patients were categorized into two groups: the 3DP-NIF group (71 patients) treated with a combination of 3DP-NIF technology, and the three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography with modified inflation-deflation (3D-CTBA-ID) group (94 patients). Following rigorous propensity-score matching (PSM) analysis (1:1 ratio), perioperative outcomes between these two approaches were compared. Sixty-six patients were successfully matched in each group. In the 3D-CTBA-ID group, inadequate visualization of segmental planes was noted in 14 cases, compared to only five cases in the 3DP-NIF group (P=0.03). In addition, the 3DP-NIF group demonstrated a shorter time for clear intersegmental boundary line (IBL) presentation {9 [8, 10] vs. 1,860 [1,380, 1,920] s} (P<0.001), and shorter operative time (134.09±34.9 vs. 163.47±49.4 min) (P<0.001), postoperative drainage time (P<0.001), and postoperative hospital stay (P=0.002) compared to the 3D-CTBA-ID group. Furthermore, the incidence of postoperative air leak was higher in the 3D-CTBA-ID group than in the 3DP-NIF group (33.3% vs. 7.6%, P<0.001). The combination of 3DP-NIF technologies served as a reliable technical safeguard, ensuring the safe and efficient execution of thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy.

Experimental investigation of the coupled effects of bedding planes and flaws on fracture evolution of soft bedded rocks based on 3D printing and DIC technologies

Bedded rocks are a typical geological formation with significant implications for understanding tectonic evolution, rock engineering, and geological hazard mitigation. This study introduces a novel method for fabricating bedded rocks using 3D printing (3DP) technology. By comparing the mechanical anisotropic properties and failure modes of 3DP bedded rocks with natural bedded rocks, we validate the feasibility of this approach. Compression tests are conducted on 3DP bedded rocks containing a single flaw to investigate the coupled effects of bedding planes and flaws on the mechanical properties. Digital image correlation (DIC) is employed for full-field deformation measurement during loading, enabling the study of deformation and crack evolution patterns. The results indicate that bedding planes dominate the brittleness of 3DP bedded rocks containing a single flaw. Significant plastic characteristics and prolonged nonlinear deformation stages are observed when the bedding angle (α) is between 0° and 45°, while brittleness becomes apparent beyond 45°. Both strength and elastic modulus are decided by bedding planes and initial flaws. By comparing stress–strain curves and rate of effective variance change (REVC)-strain curves, crack initiation can be quantitatively identified, revealing a linear correlation between strength and stress values at crack initiation points. The bedding plane also dominates crack propagation and failure modes: when α ≤ 30°, cracks propagate through the bedding, indicating tensile failure; when 45° ≤ α＜90°, cracks propagate along the bedding, indicating tensile-shear or shear failure; and when α = 90°, cracks propagate along bedding planes, indicating tensile failure. The findings of this study provide insights for explaining and predicting failure modes in engineering projects involving bedded rock formations, such as slopes, tunnels, and coal mines.

A Review on 3D Printing Processes in Pharmaceutical Engineering and Tissue Engineering: Applications, Trends and Challenges

AbstractAs a 3D rapid prototyping technology, 3D printing (3DP) technology has been widely applied in medical research, fabricating various medical devices or implants. With the development of biomaterials and cell‐related technologies, 3DP, especially bioprinting technology, is quietly bringing great changes and opportunities in the medical industry. Beyond surgical models, medical devices, and implants, traditional 3DP, cell‐based 3D bioprinting, and emerging 4D printing (4DP) have significantly aided in the advancement and manufacture of pharmaceuticals and biological alternatives for tissue engineering. It is envisioned that future healthcare systems, based on evolving 3DP technology and precision medicine, will deliver customized solutions that cater to the unique differences and needs of each patient. In this review work, several mainstream 3D bioprinting technologies are presented, with a focus on recent advances in 3DP for pharmaceutical engineering and important tissue engineering, including vascular and bone tissue engineering. Challenges and future prospects of 3DP for drug discovery, drug delivery systems, artificial blood vessels, vascular and bone tissue engineering scaffolds, and practical applications are also covered. Finally, the differences between 3DP and 4DP, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of different stimulus response mechanisms in 4DP and their potential applications are summarized.

Pengaruh Penambahan Pigmen Warna pada Filamen PLA SUNLU Colors dan SUNLU Natural

3DP technology is experiencing rapid development and is widely used in various fields. PLA material is widely used as a material for making filaments used in 3D printing (3DP). PLA filament in 3DP is widely used because it has many advantages, including biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic. When compared with other filament materials, PLA material is easier and safer to use because the temperature used is relatively lower so it is more energy efficient compared to other filament materials. SUNLU is a well-known manufacturer that provides various types of quality filaments, including PLA Colors and PLA Natural, where each type of SUNLU PLA filament has its characteristics and advantages. The choice of PLA filament type is adjusted to the desired printing needs, including the desired color and visual effect. The use of color pigments in PLA filaments with various color choices is used to produce objects that are more attractive and more flexible in their use in various fields. This experimental research was carried out to determine the effect of adding color pigments to SUNLU PLA Colors and SUNLU PLA Natural 1.75 mm filament samples with predetermined sample manufacturing variables. This research uses the ASTM D638 type V standard tensile test so that the tensile strength value of each sample can be determined and the maximum value from the tensile test can be determined. The results of this research will show a comparison of the tensile strength between SUNLU PLA Colors filament samples and SUNLU PLA Natural 1.75 mm. The tensile test results of the SUNLU PLA Natural sample had a higher value, namely 53.98 MPa, and for the SUNLU PLA Colors Orange and Gray samples, each had a tensile strength value of 46.58 MPa and 46.63 MPa. These results show that adding color pigments to the filament affects the strength of the resulting 3D-printed samples

Lessons to Learn for 3D Printing of Drug Products by Semisolid Extrusion (SSE)

Semisolid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing (3DP) technology is emerging due to its simplicity and potential for on-site manufacturing of personalized drug products with tailored functionality (dose, release profile), as well as recognizability (size, shape, color). However, even a minor change in the composition of the ink (the feedstock material) and the printing process parameters can largely influence the outcome of printing. This paper summarizes the recent SSE 3DP studies, where the important factors affecting the quality of the printed drug products are discussed. Further challenges are showcased by introducing a case study focusing on the design of oral theophylline immediate-release drug products. The identified crucial factors, such as the printing hardware and connected software, printing parameters, and composition of the ink are discussed. Especially, the rheological properties of the ink during the printing process, together with solidification, mechanical properties, and morphology studies of already printed products are deliberated to gain more understanding of the printability of drug products by SSE. This work aims to provide an overview of design aspects related to SSE-based fabrication of personalized drug products.

Polymer composite additive manufacturing: Applications, challenges and opportunities

Polymer composite prototypes and final products have been produced using additive manufacturing (AM) or three-dimensional printing (3DP). Due to their exceptional physical, chemical, mechanical, and structural properties, composite or reinforced materials, particularly polymers, are gaining popularity in the fields of engineering and science. High-performance printable polymer composites are urgently required due to the mechanical and functional limitations of printed pure polymer components. Customizable geometry, reduced waste, and accessible material shifting are among the benefits of 3D printing. The market expansion of young industrialists may be restricted by the necessity to recognize the potential of 3DP technology. Furthermore, the literature on this subject must be more specialized or cohesive in order to expand beyond the fundamentals for professionals. This article explores the application of 3D printing matrix composite materials with enhanced properties in the fields of electronics, medical, cars, and aircraft. FDM, PLP, DLP, SLA, SLS, and robocasting are among the AM processes that are addressed in this document. Additional applications for these materials are recommended. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of 3D printing are highlighted in order to facilitate enhancements.

Amorphous solid dispersion of a binary formulation with felodipine and HPMC for 3D printed floating tablets

This study focuses on the combination of three-dimensional printing (3DP) and amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) technologies for the manufacturing of gastroretentive floating tablets. Employing hot melt extrusion (HME) and fused deposition modeling (FDM), the study investigates the development of drug-loaded filaments and 3D printed (3DP) tablets containing felodipine as model drug and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as the polymeric carrier. Prior to fabrication, solubility parameter estimation and molecular dynamics simulations were applied to predict drug-polymer interactions, which are crucial for ASD formation. Physical bulk and surface characterization complemented the quality control of both drug-loaded filaments and 3DP tablets. The analysis confirmed a successful amorphous dispersion of felodipine within the polymeric matrix. Furthermore, the low infill percentage and enclosed design of the 3DP tablet allowed for obtaining low-density systems. This structure resulted in buoyancy during the entire drug release process until a complete dissolution of the 3DP tablets (more than 8 h) was attained. The particular design made it possible for a single polymer to achieve a zero-order controlled release of the drug, which is considered the ideal kinetics for a gastroretentive system. Accordingly, this study can be seen as an advancement in ASD formulation for 3DP technology within pharmaceutics.