3D printing is advancing rapidly, and the range of materials that can

be used has expanded considerably. While the technology was

previously limited to fast-curing plastics, it has now been made
suitable for slow-curing plastics as well. These have decisive
advantages as they have enhanced elastic properties and are more
durable and robust.
The use of such polymers is made possible by a new technology developed by
researchers at ETH Zurich and a US start-up. As a result, researchers can now 3D
print complex, more durable robots from a variety of high-quality materials in one go.
This new technology also makes it easy to combine soft, elastic, and rigid materials.
The researchers can also use it to create delicate structures and parts with cavities
as desired.
Materials that return to their original state
Using the new technology, researchers at ETH Zurich have succeeded for the first
time in printing a robotic hand with bones, ligaments and tendons made of different
polymers in one go. "We wouldn't have been able to make this hand with the fast-
curing polyacrylates we've been using in 3D printing so far," explains Thomas
Buchner, a doctoral student in the group of ETH Zurich robotics professor Robert
Katzschmann and first author of the study.
"We're now using slow-curing thiolene polymers. These have very good elastic
properties and return to their original state much faster after bending than
polyacrylates." This makes thiolene polymers ideal for producing the elastic
ligaments of the robotic hand.
In addition, the stiffness of thiolenes can be fine-tuned very well to meet the
requirements of soft robots.
"Robots made of soft materials, such as the hand we developed, have advantages
over conventional robots made of metal. Because they're soft, there is less risk of
injury when they work with humans, and they are better suited to handling fragile
goods," Katzschmann explains.
Scanning instead of scraping
3D printers typically produce objects layer by layer: nozzles deposit a given material
in viscous form at each point; a UV lamp then cures each layer immediately.
Previous methods involved a device that scraped off surface irregularities after each
curing step.
This works only with fast-curing polyacrylates. Slow-curing polymers such as
thiolenes and epoxies would gum up the scraper.
To accommodate the use of slow-curing polymers, the researchers developed 3D
printing further by adding a 3D laser scanner that immediately checks each printed
layer for any surface irregularities.
"A feedback mechanism compensates for these irregularities when printing the next
layer by calculating any necessary adjustments to the amount of material to be
printed in real time and with pinpoint accuracy," explains Wojciech Matusik, a
professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US and co-author
of the study. This means that instead of smoothing out uneven layers, the new
technology simply takes the unevenness into account when printing the next layer.
Inkbit, an MIT spin-off, was responsible for developing the new printing technology.
The ETH Zurich researchers developed several robotic applications and helped
optimise the printing technology for use with slow-curing polymers.
The researchers from Switzerland and the US have now jointly published the
technology and their sample applications in the journal Nature.
At ETH Zurich, Katzschmann's group will use the technology to explore further
possibilities and to design even more sophisticated structures and develop additional
applications. Inkbit is planning to use the new technology to offer a 3D printing
service to its customers and to sell the new printers.
Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231115113428.htm

Dictionary:

1. Deposit refers to the accumulation or settlement of something, such as sediment or funds.

(pol. osad/ złóg)
2. Desired means something that is wanted or sought after. (pol. pożądany)
3. Epoxies refers to a type of strong adhesive or resin that is often used for bonding or coating
materials. (pol. epoksydy)
4. feedback mechanism is a process where the output of a system influences its own operation,
often used to maintain stability or achieve a desired result.
(pol. mechanizm sprzężenia zwrotnego)
5. fragile describes something delicate or easily breakable, often implying that it requires careful
handling to avoid damage. (pol. kruchy / delikatny)
6. ligaments are tough, fibrous tissues in the body that connect bones to each other, providing
stability and support to joints. (pol. więzadła)
7. pinpoint refers to precisely locating or identifying something with great accuracy or detail.
(pol. precyzyjny)
8. rigid describes something that is stiff, inflexible, or not easily bent, suggesting a lack of pliability
or adaptability. (pol. sztywny)
9. robust describes something strong, sturdy, and capable of withstanding difficult conditions or
handling heavy use. (pol. solidny, wytrzymały)
10. thiolenes are compounds that contain a sulfur-hydrogen bond (thiol group) and are often used in
organic synthesis and polymer chemistry. (pol. tioleny)
Task to text. Fill in the gaps with the bold words or phrases in the article text.

1. The chemical industry utilizes the versatile properties of _______ in the production of
specialized coatings.

2. Despite difficult weather conditions, the bridge's _______ design allowed it to stand the test of
time without significant damage.

3. The machine's frame was intentionally made _______ to maintain precision and stability during
high-speed manufacturing processes.

4. The sniper's training enabled them to fire with extreme ________, hitting the intended target
exactly every time.

5. After a sports injury, the athlete underwent rehabilitation to strengthen the damaged _______
and regain stability in the injured joint.

6. The glass vase was beautiful but incredibly _______, requiring careful handling to prevent it
from breaking.

7. In industrial automation, a well-designed control system incorporates a precise _______ to

constantly evaluate and adjust processes for optimal efficiency and performance.

8. In the aerospace industry, engineers rely on specialized _______ to adhere composite

materials, ensuring the structural integrity of aircraft components.

9. The team worked diligently to achieve the _______ outcome, meeting all project objectives and
exceeding expectations.

10. Fat _______ in arteries poses a serious health risk, emphasizing the importance of maintaining
cardiovascular well-being.