Whereas TNO initially wager broadly on varied 3D printing applied sciences, the main focus is now on purposes that straight affect 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 appears to be like again with delight on TNO’s historical past in 3D printing. “We have now at all times centered broadly on varied 3D printing applied sciences, from metallic and polymer printing to medical and meals purposes,” says Debrauwer. Nonetheless, the breadth of this focus ultimately proved to be a pitfall. “Subsequently, in 2018, we determined to shift our focus.”
From broad to particular
The selection to deal with meals and pharma was a difficult however mandatory step, in line with Debrauwer. “To be distinctive, you need 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 at the moment, it isn’t solely about personalization but additionally in regards to the protein transition, the place we’re engaged on plant-based meat options,” explains Debrauwer. A important distinction between these fields is the precision required. “In pharma, precision is essential. Just a few milligrams, kind of, could make a giant distinction in medicine effectiveness. That is much less related in meals, however expertise performs a key function in bettering 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 largely 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 discovered you could’t do all the things 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 buildings 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 medicine that’s completely tailor-made to the wants of particular person sufferers. That is particularly essential in costly medicine the place precision could make a giant distinction,” he explains. TNO not too long ago developed a printer that hospitals use to provide personalised medicine, a necessary step towards higher and more practical care.
Cooperation with business
Debrauwer emphasizes that TNO is a non-profit group that deploys its sources fastidiously. “Our deal with meals and pharma printing is partly funded by our authorities contribution and combined funding by European tasks and personal collaborations. We proceed actively searching for new collaborations with educational and industrial companions to develop additional and apply our applied sciences.”
Pieter Debrauwer is without doubt one of 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 in regards to the full program right here.
