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03/19/2026 11:31

Bio-based graphene foams for industrial applications

Patricia Fischer Kommunikation
Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.

    In the EU project Bio.3DGREEN, 14 partners under the coordination of Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) are developing graphene foams from renewable raw materials. They aim to create a sustainable alternative to conventional damping and lightweight materials for automotive, aerospace and marine applications. LZH is designing a 3D printing test setup and developing the corresponding additive process.

    Sponge-like structures are nature's multi-talents: human bones, fungal spores, and cat paws use them for shock absorption, stabilization, or noise reduction. The partners from nine countries now want to manufacture such nature-inspired structures using a laser-based additive process. They use plant oil and nickel-coated metal powder as starting materials. Complex three-dimensional structures are to be created layer by layer. The researchers plan to extract the metal powder during manufacturing, resulting in the intended sponge-like 3D graphene structure. The powder should then be reusable.

    From lab to application: developing the manufacturing process

    Since this material is being used in Additive Manufacturing for the first time, developing the printing process is challenging: the paste made from coated metal particles and plant oil requires a specially developed feeding system. Additionally, the team will determine the optimal laser wavelength for precise material processing.

    In parallel, partners are conducting life cycle assessments (LCA) and life cycle cost analyses (LCC). They are capturing CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, waste generation, and recycling potential. Their shared goal: integrate this technology into the European circular economy and transfer it to other industries.

    About Bio.3DGREEN

    With the Bio.3DGREEN project, the partners aim to demonstrate that additive manufacturing with graphene foams can be a high-performance and sustainable alternative for producing shock-absorbing, sound-reducing, and lightweight structures. The project is led by LZH in collaboration with Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, Atomising Systems Limited, UK, University of Patras, Greece, Engitec Systems International Limited, Cyprus, Meab Chemie Technik Gmbh, Germany, DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V., Germany, Ylisense Private Company Ike, Greece, Tenneco Automotive Europe Bvba, Belgium, Centro Ricerche Fiat Scpa, Italy, Prozero International Aps, Denmark, Stratagem Energy Ltd, Cyprus, Neuraltech Ike, Greece, and Alpes Lasers SA, Switzerland. The Bio.3DGREEN project is funded by the European Union under grant agreement 101174399. More information: www.bio3dgreen.eu


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    In the Bio.3DGREEN project, researchers aim to create graphene foams using a novel material paste.
    In the Bio.3DGREEN project, researchers aim to create graphene foams using a novel material paste.
    Source: AI
    Copyright: Graphic: Artistic view generated with AI


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    Business and commerce, Journalists, Scientists and scholars
    Mechanical engineering
    transregional, national
    Research projects
    English


     

    In the Bio.3DGREEN project, researchers aim to create graphene foams using a novel material paste.


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