Lignin and Cellulosic Materials for 3D Printing

This is a conceptual project to review the potential for using linin and cellulose extracted from hard and softwood, to manufacture into a polymer suitable for 3D printing.

In this project, we want to look at the extraction of lignin and other cellulosic materials in such a way that they can be used in the polymer based materials used for 3D printing. This process is not novel; some commercial operations blend lignin with other polymer resins that can be used in 3D printing. This project will look into first the possibility of using lignin in 3D printing, looking then at the processing of raw fibers and then to the disposal of the formed 3D structure.

The project is mainly literature based but depending on how well the work progresses, there may be opportunities for fundamental laboratory work.