The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has launched The 3D and Functional Printing Center, Israel’s first center with a focus on research in 3D and functional printing. As part of the University’s Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology on the Edmond J. Safra campus, the Center will enable researchers to explore scientific and technological avenues in this emerging field, while exposing them to Israeli and international industry.
3D printing is the process of creating real-world objects from digital models. Coupled with functional printing, which adds functions such as light emission or movement to a printed product, this ever-expanding technology is enabling formation of new functional structures, such as printed robots, new plastic solar cells, military and medical equipment, radiation and light detectors, smart windows, sophisticated drug pills, and even human organs.
The 3D and Functional Printing Center at The Hebrew University will function as a central “printing lab” that provides accessibility for Hebrew University researchers to the printing technologies and infrastructure needed to perform high-level research in this field. The Center’s equipment spans numerous technologies such as inkjet printing, digital light processing, fused deposition modeling, powder printing, and laser sintering.
To date, research in this area at the Hebrew University has yielded many scientific papers and has led to the establishment of a number of companies in Israel. Technology commercialization activities are carried out by Yissum, the Research and Development Company of the Hebrew University. These include a license agreement and research collaboration with Israel Chemicals, as well the companies Nano Dimension, which is developing a printer for multilayer printed circuit boards; Steam, which developed Ripples, a technology for printing high-resolution designs on lattes, cappuccinos, or any foam-topped drink; and Dip-Tech, a supplier of digital glass printers and digital ceramic inks.
For more information, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en.