In a groundbreaking development, scientists at the University of Toronto Scarborough have created a new resin for 3D printers using old cooking oil from McDonald’s. The resin, called Acrylated Waste Cooking Oil Resin (AWCO), is significantly cheaper to produce than previous bio-based resins and boasts a much higher print quality. Currently, 3D printers rely on materials made from plastic and metal, but researchers have been exploring alternative, sustainable options such as AESO resin, which is made from biological components. However, the quality of products made from AESO resin still falls short of those made from plastic.
To create AWCO resin, the scientists filtered used cooking oil to remove any remaining food particles and then transformed it into a resin that can be cured into a solid object using a DLP printer. The resulting resin is commercially viable and produces prints with 50% better properties than those made from AESO resin. The researchers used a small butterfly as a demonstration object, which showed a rubbery consistency and a waxy, water-resistant surface. The resin can print objects with a precision of 100 micrometers and costs around 30 US cents per liter, making it significantly cheaper than traditional plastic resins that can cost up to 500 US dollars per liter depending on quality and application.
The scientists hope that their project will improve the image of recycling programs by demonstrating that high-quality products can be made from recycled materials. The development of AWCO resin is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for 3D printing, and it could pave the way for further research into alternative, eco-friendly materials. With the potential to reduce waste and lower costs, AWCO resin could revolutionize the 3D printing industry and make it more accessible to a wider range of users.
