| Mar 19, 2026 |
EU project develops 3D-printed graphene foams from renewable materials as sustainable damping and lightweight solutions for automotive, aerospace and marine use.
(Nanowerk News) Sponge-like structures are nature’s multi-talents: human bones, fungal spores, and cat paws use them for shock absorption, stabilization, or noise reduction. The partners from nine countries now want to manufacture such nature-inspired structures using a laser-based additive process. They use plant oil and nickel-coated metal powder as starting materials. Complex three-dimensional structures are to be created layer by layer.
|
|
The researchers plan to extract the metal powder during manufacturing, resulting in the intended sponge-like 3D graphene structure. The powder should then be reusable.
|
From lab to application: developing the manufacturing process
|
|
Since this material is being used in Additive Manufacturing for the first time, developing the printing process is challenging: the paste made from coated metal particles and plant oil requires a specially developed feeding system. Additionally, the team will determine the optimal laser wavelength for precise material processing.
|
|
In parallel, partners are conducting life cycle assessments (LCA) and life cycle cost analyses (LCC). They are capturing CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, waste generation, and recycling potential. Their shared goal: integrate this technology into the European circular economy and transfer it to other industries.
|
|
With the Bio.3DGREEN project, the partners aim to demonstrate that additive manufacturing with graphene foams can be a high-performance and sustainable alternative for producing shock-absorbing, sound-reducing, and lightweight structures.
|
