3D Printing Techniques in Environmental Science and Engineering Will Bring New Innovation.
3D printing techniques are currently driving innovation in the manufacturing industry, and this innovation will likely extend to all areas of science and technology in the near future. 3D printing enables the digital design and fabrication of complex 3D objects, layer by layer, with a wide range of materials. The technique has several advantages over traditional manufacturing processes, such as the ability to perform rapid prototyping, allowing minor variations on a basic design, and the fabrication of unique objects. For example, dentists can now use 3D printing to produce precise dental implants within hours to exactly match the needs of a specific patient; such a process generally takes weeks with traditional fabrication. In past few years, the rate of research publications involving 3D printing has increased considerably. For example, the number of publications in Web of Science found using "3D printing" or "additive manufacture" as search terms has increased by thousands annually since 2013, exceeding a total of 10 000 in 2016. Nevertheless, in the field of environmental science and engineering, the application of 3D printing technology remains rare. A limited number of studies have been performed, and those available have mainly focused on the fabrication of small devices, such as atmospheric sampling devices for fine particles or devices for water treatment, or on the potential environmental and health concerns originating from 3D printing. Thus, environmental science and engineering still has a significant potential to benefit from 3D printing. The research areas described below are examples of areas that will likely benefit from 3D printing in the near future.
Environmental science technology