Themes
  • 3D printing
  • Plastic
  • Polymers
  • Recycling
Amount granted
$15,000

Description

The project seeks to gain more basic knowledge of the recyclability of the plastic used in a medical context. By focusing on the particular context of 3D printed boluses for radiation therapy in cancer patients, the initiative will assess the influence of recycling processes and radiotherapy treatments on the structure and properties of the material (PLA, polylactic acid) before it is reused in treatment.

The project has three sub-objectives:

  1. Determine the extent to which repeated shredding-extrusion-3D printing shaping affects the properties of PLA.
  2. Determine the influence of radiation treatment (i.e., repeated application of high-energy photons or electrons) and the regular application of cleaning agents on the polymer’s properties.
  3. Evaluate the combined effect of shaping and radiotherapy treatment on the recyclability of PLA.

Affiliated research axes

Axis 2: Planning Optimization

2.4 – Plan and optimize the production of products and delivery of services in the context of the circular economy

Axis 3: Resource and Product Maximization

3.3 – Identify models for product circularization strategies

Member(s)

  • Lucas Hof

    Professor
  • Nicole Demarquette

    Ph.D. Professor

Collaborators

Stéphane Bedwani

CHUM

François De Blois

CHUM

Karim Zerouali

CHUM
The RRECQ is supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec.
Fonds de recherche - Québec