Copper 3D, a US-based Chilean 3D printing materials company, has received another grant from NASA. The money has been awarded to test the properties of antibacterial 3D printing materials for medical devices on the International Space Station. The funding was issued by NASA Nebraska Space Grant, one of the 52 space grant consortium in the U.S. Dr. Jorge Zuniga, assistant professor at Department of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska Omaha and contributing researcher for Copper 3D said that the funding is “To examine the development, validation, and mechanically characterization of antimicrobial 3D printed medical devices for astronauts. The objective is to test the antimicrobial properties of this material in the ISS”. Copper 3D is known for developing 3D printing materials which have antibacterial properties. “He continued,”This new technology, based on a patented additive with copper nanostructures and other carriers/controller elements, can have a very positive impact on the new challenges faced by NASA facing the long-term space missions []. “Imagine the impact that this new generation of 3D printed objects can have on the early treatment of complex wounds, on avoiding infections of all kinds or in a whole new generation active/antimicrobial medical devices”. In 2000, the European Space Agency sponsored the HUMEX study, a detailed report on safety and health concerns during long term space missions. The recent grant awarded to Copper 3D will address the problem of dysfunction of the immune system during long space missions on the ISS. Medical Director of Copper3D, Dr. Claudio Soto, explained, ” is an entity that is recently being studied and that could put in risk the long-term space missions, for example those that are expected to be made in the future on Mars. Featured image shows medical devices made by Copper 3D. Image via Copper 3D..

Read the full article at 3D Printing Industry