3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating three-dimensional objects by layering materials based on a digital design. It enables the production of complex and customized objects with various materials, ranging from plastics to metals, by depositing successive layers of material until the desired object is formed. Besides its technical advantages, additive manufacturing also shortens complex production processes, enables distributed manufacturing and is more sustainable than traditional manufacturing.
NIST researchers have found special atomic patterns called quasicrystals in 3D-printed aluminum alloys.