Lucas Hof

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.

The project focuses on the development of a new recyclable 3D printing feedstock for low-cost printers.

It explores the unique reaction of nickel and iron with carbon monoxide, which form nickel and iron carbonyl, respectively, to provide an ideal mechanism to recycle the metals, as well as nickel- and iron-based products.

The research aims to develop metal-infused recyclable filaments with high concentrations of nickel and iron carbonyl powders to make functional and resistant metal parts using widespread, low-cost 3D printing processes such as fused filament fabrication.

The main objective of the research project is to develop a biobased polymer composite material (PLA) made of eggshell particles with improved thermal, mechanical and biodegradable properties to support Canada’s rapid prototyping and egg processing sectors as they move towards sustainable products and circular manufacturing initiatives, to create value for eggshell waste and to develop a manufacturing process for 3D biopolymer printing feedstock containing eggshell particles as filler. The composite materials will be characterized for their thermal, mechanical and biodegradable properties. The specific objectives of the four-year project are to:

1. Identify the ideal eggshell particle size, weight fraction and surface coating to produce polylactic acid/eggshell composites by additive manufacturing using standard low-cost fused filament forming (FFF) 3D printers.
2. Improve the biodegradability of polylactic acid composites by reducing degradation time through the addition of compostable additives and by exploring their impact on the mechanical properties.
3. Determine the recyclability of the developed eggshell-filled polymer composite filaments.