Whereas TNO initially wager broadly on numerous 3D printing applied sciences, the main focus is now on purposes that straight impression healthcare and diet. Forward of the Agrifood Innovation Occasion – on December 3 on the Excessive Tech Campus in Eindhoven – Pieter Debrauwer explains the strategic selections behind this shift and TNO’s technological advances.
Pieter Debrauwer seems again with pleasure on TNO’s historical past in 3D printing. “We have now all the time centered broadly on numerous 3D printing applied sciences, from metallic and polymer printing to medical and meals purposes,” says Debrauwer. Nevertheless, the breadth of this focus ultimately proved to be a pitfall. “Due to this fact, in 2018, we determined to shift our focus.”
From broad to particular
The selection to give attention to meals and pharma was a difficult however essential step, based on Debrauwer. “To be distinctive, it’s important to know each the challenges of the market and the potential of expertise.” This focus permits TNO to develop applied sciences and deploy these applied sciences on to societal and industrial challenges.
TNO has centered on challenges within the meals and pharmaceutical sectors throughout the new focus areas. “In meals immediately, it’s not solely about personalization but in addition concerning the protein transition, the place we’re engaged on plant-based meat alternate options,” explains Debrauwer. A important distinction between these fields is the precision required. “In pharma, precision is essential. A number of milligrams, kind of, could make a giant distinction in remedy effectiveness. That is much less related in meals, however expertise performs a key function in enhancing textures and flavors of plant merchandise.”
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3D printing: from hype to actuality
Within the early years of 3D meals printing, the expertise was principally about enjoyable and experimentation. “We made advanced shapes and performed with new concepts, however scalability turned out to be an issue in these purposes,” says Debrauwer. This expertise led to a rethink inside TNO. “We realized which you can’t do the whole lot with 3D printing. Now we’re specializing in particular purposes the place 3D printing could make a distinction.”
Plant-based and personalised drugs
In plant-based proteins, TNO is engaged on strategies to enhance the feel and construction of plant-based merchandise. “The problem with plant-based merchandise like steak and rib eye lies in mimicking the advanced fiber constructions in actual meat. We have now developed a brand new methodology to softly course of vegetable proteins, which permits us to enhance taste and texture.”, says Debrauwer.
TNO can also be advancing within the pharmaceutical sector. “We’re engaged on 3D-printed remedy that’s completely tailor-made to the wants of particular person sufferers. That is particularly essential in costly remedy the place precision could make a giant distinction,” he explains. TNO lately developed a printer that hospitals use to supply personalised remedy, a vital step towards higher and simpler care.
Cooperation with trade
Debrauwer emphasizes that TNO is a non-profit group that deploys its sources rigorously. “Our give attention to meals and pharma printing is partly funded by our authorities contribution and blended funding by way of European initiatives and personal collaborations. We proceed actively looking for new collaborations with tutorial and industrial companions to develop additional and apply our applied sciences.”
Pieter Debrauwer is among the audio system on the Agrifood Innovation Occasion, on December 3 in Eindhoven. Do you need to be there? Purchase your ticket for the occasion right here, or learn extra concerning the full program right here.
