Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, the ink may include a colloid of nanoparticles of an inorganic material (e.g., a metal) in a carrier, and the colloid may be destabilized along one or more sections of at least one layer. Destabilization of the colloid may aggregate the nanoparticles along at least one layer to facilitate, for example, formation of an interface layer useful for separating the three-dimensional objects from associated support structures. Further, or instead, the aggregated nanoparticles may be useful for hardening a given layer to facilitate uniform distribution of a subsequent layer on top of the given layer. Thus, more generally, aggregation of the nanoparticles along the powder be may be useful for improving quality of the three-dimensional objects being fabricated.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, the ink may include a carrier, supramolecular assemblies of molecules, and nanoparticles of an inorganic material. The supramolecular assemblies may sequester the nanoparticles of the inorganic material from the carrier to facilitate maintaining the nanoparticles in a stable form, providing a shelf-life suitable for transportation and storage of the ink in large-scale commercial operations. The supramolecular assemblies of the molecules may be disrupted during a fabrication process to release the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may improve strength of the three-dimensional objects being fabricated and, also or instead, may reduce the likelihood of defects associated with subsequent processing of the three-dimensional objects (e.g.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, the ink may include metal nanoparticles suspended in a non-oxidizing aqueous solution to facilitate maintaining the metal nanoparticles in a stable form, providing a shelf-life suitable for transportation and storage of the ink in large-scale commercial operations. The ink may be delivered onto the powder of the metal particles in the powder bed, where the nanoparticles may interact with the metal particles to improve strength of the three-dimensional objects being fabricated. Also, or instead, the nanoparticles may reduce the likelihood of defects associated with subsequent processing of the three-dimensional objects (e.g., slumping and shrinking and/or inadequate densification of the final part).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, the ink may include high aspect ratio nanoparticles, such as filaments. As compared to nanoparticles having lower aspect ratios, high aspect ratio nanoparticles may facilitate bridging more surface of the metal particles in the powder bed. As the three-dimensional objects including the high aspect ratio nanoparticles and the metal particles are thermally processed, the increased bridging associated with the high aspect ratio nanoparticles may result in increased bonded area between the nanoparticles and the metal particles and, thus, three-dimensional objects that are more robust with respect to subsequent processing required to form the three-dimensional objects into finished parts.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, metal particles in the powder bed may be coated with nanoparticles to facilitate achieving a substantially uniform distribution of nanoparticles relative to metal particles in the three-dimensional objects being formed in the powder bed. Through such a substantially uniform distribution, the nanoparticles and the metal particles may interact with one another in a predictable manner useful for reducing variations in three-dimensional objects being fabricated and, also or instead, useful for reducing the likelihood of defects associated with subsequent processing of the three-dimensional objects.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, the ink may include nanoparticles of an inorganic material (e.g., a metal) that undergoes at least one phase change as the three-dimensional objects are heated. This phase change may facilitate achieving more uniform distribution of the inorganic material relative to the metal particles in the three-dimensional objects which, in turn, may improve strength of the three-dimensional objects being fabricated. Further, or instead, improved distribution of the inorganic material may reduce the likelihood of defects associated with subsequent processing of the three-dimensional objects.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, the ink may include ceramic nanoparticles that may be maintained in a stable form, providing a shelf-life suitable for transportation and storage of the ink in large-scale commercial operations. The ink may be delivered onto the powder of the metal particles in the powder bed, where the ceramic nanoparticles may interact with the metal particles to improve strength of the three-dimensional objects being fabricated. Also, or instead, the nanoparticles may reduce the likelihood of defects associated with subsequent processing of the three-dimensional objects (e.g., slumping and shrinking and/or inadequate densification of the final part).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, local densities of the powder of each layer may be determined and used as a basis for selectively distributing the ink including nanoparticles to increase density of one or more portions of the respective layer as compared to density of the respective portion of the layer prior to the selective distribution of the ink. Thus, the selective distribution of the ink including the nanoparticles may reduce density variations in each layer of three-dimensional objects being fabricated. In turn, such a reduction in density variation associated with the fabrication of three-dimensional objects may reduce the likelihood of defects (e.g., through unintended variations in shrinkage rates) associated with subsequent processing of the three-dimensional objects.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the use of nanoparticles for improving fabrication of three-dimensional objects formed through layer-by-layer delivery of an ink onto a powder of metal particles in a powder bed. More specifically, the ink may include metal oxide nanoparticles and reducing agent nanoparticles in a stable form, providing a shelf-life suitable for transportation and storage of the ink in large-scale commercial operations. The ink may be delivered onto the powder of the metal particles in the powder bed, where the metal oxide nanoparticles and the reducing agent nanoparticles may interact with one another to form metal nanoparticles. In turn, the metal nanoparticles may interact with the metal particles in the powder bed to improve strength of the three-dimensional objects being fabricated and, also or instead, to reduce the likelihood of defects associated with subsequent processing of the three-dimensional objects.

Abstract: Support structures are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit fabrication of a greater range of object geometries. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are subsequently sintered into a final part, an interface layer may be fabricated between the object and support in order to inhibit bonding between adjacent surfaces of the support structure and the object during sintering. Interface layers suitable for manufacture with an additive manufacturing system may resist the formation of bonds between a support structure and an object during subsequent sintering processes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data about biological entities are provided. A computing device can receive a plurality of data items about a biological entity from a plurality of sources. The computing device can verify each data item of the plurality of data items using the computing device by at least: determining a source of the data item from among the plurality of sources, determining a provenance for the data item associated with the source of the data item, and verifying that the data item is associated with the biological entity based at least on the provenance for the data item associated with the source of the data item. After verifying that a particular data item is associated with the biological entity, the computing device can store the particular data item in a data log associated with the biological entity.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. Each device has an ambient temperature shelf life. Data associated with the devices is entered, including: the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the main inventory; and the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the subinventory. A first timestamp is associated with each device when the device is transferred from the main inventory to the ambient temperature subinventory. The first timestamp is compared to a second timestamp prior to use of the device to determine whether the device's ambient temperature shelf life is exceeded. The current quantity of devices in the subinventory is updated in response to an event that causes a change in the current quantity of devices in the subinventory.

Abstract: A method for tagging and organizing data is provided. In one example, physiological data detected from a wearer of a wearable device is received and associated with a tag based, at least in art, on an input by the wearer. The input may be a state of the wearer, such as physical or mental state, or a rule. The collected physiological data may be organized based on the tag and, in some examples, on other types of received data, such as a wearer's personal data. In other example methods, data may be stored in a database based on one or more tags associated with the data.

Abstract: Techniques and compositions are disclosed for feedstocks with powder/binder systems for three-dimensional printing, such as fused filament fabrication. For example, a feedstock may include a first high polymer and a second polymer for supporting a shape of a three-dimensional object through various processing stages. The first polymer may be a moderate or high molecular weight polymer, and the second polymer may be a high molecular weight polymer. The first polymer may provide improved print quality and strength, as compared to a low molecular weight polymer, in initial processing. In a solvent, the first polymer may be preferentially dissolved over the second polymer such that the second polymer may remain to support a net shape of the three-dimensional object in subsequent processing. Accordingly, the combination of the first polymer and the second polymer may be useful for rapid three-dimensional manufacturing of high quality parts.

Abstract: Techniques and compositions are disclosed for feedstocks with powder/binder systems for three-dimensional printing, such as fused filament fabrication. For example, a plurality of feedstocks may be combined to form a three-dimensional object having a spatial gradient of a first primary binder and a second primary binder. The spatial gradient of the first primary binder and the second primary binder along the three-dimensional object may form the three-dimensional object with an advantageous combination of adequate structural support and a rapid overall rate of debinding the first primary binder and the second primary binder from the three-dimensional object as the three-dimensional object is processed into a final part. Accordingly, the spatial gradient of the first primary binder and the second primary binder may be useful for rapid three-dimensional manufacturing of high quality parts.

Abstract: Techniques and compositions are disclosed for composite feedstocks with powder/binder systems suitable for three-dimensional printing, such as fused filament fabrication. The composite feedstocks may include a jacket about a core, with at least the core including a powder material suspended in a binder system and the jacket having a hardness or toughness greater than a hardness or toughness of the core for the feedstock. In general, the harder jacket may protect the core from unintended deformation or damage during transportation, storage, or use. For example, the difference in hardness or toughness between the jacket and the core may facilitate gripping the feedstock (e.g., by gear drives or the like) with a higher amount of force than is otherwise applicable if the feedstock were composed of the core alone, without damaging the core, during a fused filament fabrication process or another additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: Techniques and compositions are disclosed for feedstocks with powder/binder systems for three-dimensional printing, such as fused filament fabrication. For example, a feedstock may include a primary binder and a secondary binder for supporting a shape of a three-dimensional object through processing into a final part. The primary binder may include a high molecular weight polymer useful to achieve high print quality and strength of the three-dimensional object in initial processing. Further, the high molecular weight polymer may be chemically decomposed, and thus rapidly debound from the three-dimensional object, through exposure to a solvent. The secondary binder may be substantially insoluble in the solvent such that the secondary binder may remain to support a net shape of the three-dimensional object in subsequent processing.

Abstract: A variety of additive manufacturing techniques can be adapted to fabricate a substantially net shape object from a computerized model using materials that can be debound and sintered into a fully dense metallic part or the like. However, during sintering, the net shape will shrink as binder escapes and the base material fuses into a dense final part. If the foundation beneath the object does not shrink in a corresponding fashion, the resulting stresses throughout the object can lead to fracturing, warping or other physical damage to the object resulting in a failed fabrication. To address this issue, a variety of techniques are disclosed for substrates and build plates that contract in a manner complementary to the object during debinding and sintering.

Abstract: A patient-matched cutting block including a surface or point contact features adapted to at least partially conform to or reference a patient specific anatomy. The cutting block having guide slots configured for guiding the movement of cutting tools relative to the patient specific anatomy or features configured to mate to and guide standard cutting guides relative to patient specific anatomy in order to form plateau and eminence resections of the patient specific anatomy.

Abstract: Systems, methods, components, and materials are disclosed for stereolithographic fabrication of three-dimensional objects. A resin including particles dispersed in a binder system can be substantially transparent to light of a wavelength sufficient to cure at least one component of the binder system. A green object can be formed by activation light penetrating into each layer of a plurality of layers of the resin in a layer-by-layer process to crosslink, polymerize, or both, at least one component of the binder system in successive layers of the resin to one another. Through subsequent processing, the green object can be densified to form a metal object, a ceramic object, or a combination thereof.