High resolution 3D printing of porous media for bioseparations

The advent of 3D printing is revolutionizing the word as we see it. 3D printing is not only about plastic ware. Today concrete homes, sugar cakes and even human organs can be 3D printed. In our research group we are using 3D printing methods to create perfectly ordered porous media for a myriad of uses in process engineering, e.g. in separations, catalysis, filtration, etc. We are pioneering the use of 3D printing in porous media and packed columns, with specific focus on high resolution 3D printing (at micron level) to reconstruct the fine pore features in the material.

In particular, adsorptive media for the purification of proteins and other biological molecules will be produced in this PhD project. There is a number of exciting open questions that need to be addressed, i.e. the design of optimal geometries to improve the flow performance, the development of 3D printable materials suitable for bio-separations, the characterization of the separation process using 3D printed columns, and even the design of a novel 3D printer technique. The specific area of the PhD project will be determined accordingly to project needs as well as the candidate skills and preference.

Institute for Bioengineering: https://www.eng.ed.ac.uk/research/institutes/ibioe