Biomaterials and 3D Printing: An Innovative Synergy for the Manufacturing of the Future

In The introduction of biomaterials into the realm of 3D printing represents a significant advancement with manifold implications in the fields of medicine, biomedical research, and customized manufacturing. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, provides an innovative method for creating three-dimensional objects with precision and complexity, layer by layer. In this study, we conducted a numerical simulation of a biomaterial composed of a bioload in the form of chicken feathers randomly distributed in a matrix of PLA (polylactic acid), a material widely used in 3D printing. In this article, we numerically investigated 3D printing technology to create a biomaterial before advancing to a bio-printing stage. The results indicate an increase in stiffness accompanied by a reduction in density with an increase in the percentage of bioload, resulting in a decrease in density of approximately 0.1 g/cm3 and an increase in Young's modulus of 0.5 GPa. Aligned with the industrial trend focused on decreasing weight relative to volume, along with the potential utilization of chicken feather and PLA waste during recycling, explored in forthcoming articles.