3D Printing of Lignocellulosic Materials: Preparation, Characterization and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a method of creating a three-dimensional object layer-by-layer using a computer-created design, reducing production time and costs. This technology is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing processes, where a final design is cut from a larger block of material. Therefore, 3D printing creates less waste in production and requires lower chemical consumption. Although this technology was patented in 1986, it has only been in the last decade that the use of lignocellulosic biomass and its components in 3D printing has garnered particular attention. Lignocellulosic materials are the most abundant renewable resource in the world, are highly biocompatible and possess tunable mechanical properties, which make them ideal for a wide range of applications. Nevertheless, lignocellulosic components such as cellulose and its derivatives, hemicellulose or lignin are difficult to melt for the extrusion and injection moulding processes, unlike many synthetic polymers from fossil fuels. Thus, the development of new products from lignocellulosic components using 3D-printing technology is still a challenge. This Special Issue will address new developments in the area of lignocellulose‐based 3D-fabricated materials, covering a wide range of products and applications, such as biomedical or packaging applications, among many others. Original research papers and review articles are welcomed.

Dr. Juan Dominguez-Robles
Dr. Quim Tarrés Farrés
Dr. Eduardo Espinosa Víctor
Dr. Marc Delgado-Aguilar
Dr. Alejandro Rodríguez
Dr. Eneko Larrañeta Landa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• 3D printing
• Lignocellulosic materials
• Cellulose
• Hemicellulose
• Lignin
• Bioinks
• Pharmaceutical and biomedical applications
• Food applications
• Construction