3D Printers With Carbomorph Will Print Out Individual Electronic Devices

Researches at the School of Engineering (University of Warwick) led by Dr Simon Leigh have lately designed a simple and cheap conductive plastic composite that can be used in 3D printers, allowing even home-based users to print out their own electronic devices complete with microelectronics embedded. Carbomorph is a carbon-rich composite material that conducts electricity and can be used in existing 3D printers to print electronic circuits. With Carbomorph injected alongside a regular plastic in multi-headed 3D printers this could allow the printing of the physical forms plus the electronic innards of objects such as mobile phones and remote controls in one operation. Until now, the exterior form and interior workings of electronic devices have been manufactured and printed separately. The team is now working on printing more complex items such as cables that connect devices. Dr Simon Leigh claims, in the long term that this technology could revolutionize the way we produce the world around us, making products such as personal electronics more individual and unique and in the process reducing electronic waste. In a short space of time this technology might have a great impact in the educational sector for the next generation of young engineers to get hands-on experience using advanced manufacturing technology to design high-tech devices and products right there in the classroom.
Via:33rdsquare.com