Benchtop Machining of Self-Standing Alumina Doughs for Low-Number Fabrication and Prototyping.

Cold isostatic pressing, gel casting, and protein coagulation are the most common techniques to produce green bodies prior to computer numerical control (CNC)-based machining for the near-net-scale shaping of ceramics. These methods typically involve various additives and entail several steps to create a green body that is capable of withstanding machining forces. Here, utilizing a single additive, we first introduced a facile benchtop method to generate self-standing, malleable doughs of alumina in under 2 min.

Encapsulation of Carbon Dots in a Core-Shell Mesh through Coaxial Direct Ink Writing for Improved Crop Growth.

Through coaxial direct ink writing, we fabricated a core-shell mesh system for the controlled release of carbon dots (C-dots). In the core ink, we developed an ink formulation with tuned viscosity using hydroxypropyl cellulose and polyethylene glycol to host C-dots. Polycaprolactone was employed as the main shell material, in combination with sodium alginate, to control the degradation rate of the shell.