Holographic 3D printing has potential to revolutionize multiple industries

on 24/10/2024

Researchers at Concordia have developed a novel method of 3D printing that uses acoustic holograms. And they say it’s quicker than existing methods and capable of making more complex objects.
The process, called holographic direct sound printing (HDSP), is described in a recent article in the journal Nature Communications. It builds on a method introduced in 2022 that described how sonochemical reactions in microscopic cavitations regions—tiny bubbles—create extremely high temperatures and pressure for trillionths of a second to harden resin into complex patterns.
Now, by embedding the technique in acoustic holograms that contain cross-sectional images of a particular design, polymerization occurs much more quickly. It can create objects simultaneously rather than voxel-by-voxel.
In order to retain the fidelity of the desired image, the hologram remains stationary within the printing material. The printing platform is attached to a robotic arm, which moves it based on a pre-programmed algorithm-designed pattern that will form the completed object.
Muthukumaran Packirisamy, a professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering, led the project. He believes this can improve printing speed by up to 20 times while at the same time using less energy.
“We can also change the image while the operation is under way,” he says. “We can change shapes, combine multiple motions and alter materials being printed. We can make a complicated structure by controlling the feed rate if we optimize the parameters to get the required structures.”
A technological leap
According to the researchers, the precise control of acoustic holograms allows it to store information of multiple images in a single hologram. This means multiple objects can be printed at the same time at different locations within the same printing space.
As a result, acoustic holography will be a launching pad for innovation across any number of fields: it can be used to create complex tissue structures, localized drug and cell delivery systems and advanced tissue engineering. Real-world applications include the creation of new forms of skin grafts that can enhance healing and improved drug delivery for therapies that require specific therapeutic agents at specific sites.
He adds that, as soundwaves can penetrate opaque surfaces, HSDP can be used to print inside a body or behind solid material. This can be helpful in repairing damaged organs or delicate parts located deep within an airplane.
The researchers believe that HDSP has the potential to be a paradigm-shifting technology. He compares it to the advancement light-based 3D printing technology saw with the evolution from stereolithography, in which a laser is used to harden a single point of resin into a solid object, to digital light processing, which cures entire layers of resin simultaneously.
“You can imagine the possibilities,” he says. “We can print behind opaque objects, behind a wall, inside a tube or inside the body. The technique that we already use and the devices that we use have already been approved for medical applications.”

The Potential of Circular Economy in Revitalizing Pakistan’s Textile Sector

on 24/10/2024

CIRCULAR & LINEAR ECONOMY
The linear economy follows a “take-make-dispose” model, where resources are extracted, used to make products, and discarded as waste, leading to high resource consumption and environmental harm. In contrast, the circular economy focuses on “reduce, reuse, recycle”, aiming to keep products and materials in circulation, minimize waste, and regenerate natural systems.
In the linear model, waste is a by-product, whereas the circular model designs out waste by promoting durability, recycling, and renewable energy use. The circular approach is more sustainable, generating long-term economic growth, reducing environmental impact, and creating new job opportunities through resource efficiency.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY & T PAKISTAN’S TEXTILE
Pakistan’s textile industry is crucial to its economy, contributing nearly 60% of total exports and employing around 40% of the industrial workforce. The sector accounts for 8.5% of the country’s GDP and plays a major role in foreign exchange earnings. However, it faces sustainability challenges like resource-intensive production, excessive waste, and pollution.
Key Circular Economy Opportunities with Economic Benefits:
Sustainable Cotton Farming:
○ Pakistan is the 5th largest producer of cotton globally, and moving towards organic and regenerative farming can reduce costs associated with chemical inputs and water usage, improving long-term productivity and sustainability.
Textile Waste Recycling:
○ Pakistan generates thousands of tons of post-industrial waste annually. Establishing large-scale textile recycling facilities could create new business opportunities, reduce imports of virgin materials, and meet global demand for recycled textiles, which is growing by 8% annually.
Zero-Waste Design and Eco-Friendly Materials:
○ By investing in zero-waste manufacturing techniques and using recycled or biodegradable materials, companies can save costs in raw material procurement. For example, using recycled polyester can cut costs by up to 30% compared to virgin polyester production.
Energy and Water Efficiency:
○ Implementing waterless dyeing or recycling wastewater could reduce water consumption by up to 50%, lowering operational costs. Similarly, adopting renewable energy sources like solar power could mitigate Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and lower electricity expenses in factories.
Secondhand Markets and Repair Services:
○ Pakistan imports and processes large quantities of secondhand clothes, especially from Europe and North America. Expanding domestic markets for resale and refurbishment could create additional revenue streams and jobs in repair and upcycling industries.
Economic Benefits of Circular Practices:
● Cost Savings: Circular practices like recycling and energy efficiency can reduce production costs by up to 20%, boosting profit margins.
● New Markets: The global demand for sustainable fashion is projected to grow, opening new export opportunities for Pakistani textiles. Circular fashion could add $10-15 billion to the global economy by 2030, which Pakistan can tap into.
● Job Creation: Transitioning to a circular economy in textiles could create new jobs in recycling, repair, and material innovation sectors, potentially increasing employment by 10-15% in related fields.
Circular Economy Examples in Pakistan’s Textile Sector:
Soorty Enterprises: Implements recycling technologies and water-efficient dyeing to produce sustainable denim, reducing waste and water use.
Artistic Milliners: Focuses on water conservation, wastewater recycling, and renewable energy to minimize environmental impact.
Reon Energy Solutions: Provides solar power solutions for textile factories like Gul Ahmed, reducing carbon emissions and energy costs.
Lunda Bazaar: Pakistan’s thriving second hand clothing market, extends the life cycle of garments and reduces textile waste.
H&M Garment Collection Program: Allows consumers in Pakistan to recycle old clothes, promoting circular fashion and reducing textile waste.
Interloop Limited: Uses recycled cotton fibers in their hosiery products, cutting down on the need for virgin cotton.
Patagonia: Sources organic and fair trade cotton from Pakistan, supporting sustainable farming practices.
Green Garment Factories Program: Helps textile manufacturers adopt energy-efficient and waste-minimization practices to boost sustainability.

21st Health Asia exhibition ‘Medical devices, equipment manufacturing may reduce import bill by $2 bn’

on 24/10/2024

Pakistani companies have made notable progress in developing and manufacturing medical devices and equipment. This advancement could reduce the import bill by $2 billion within the next five years and generate foreign exchange by exporting technological items to various countries, said Zubair Motiwala, the CEO of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan.
“Items such as ventilators, dialysis machines, and cardiac stents, previously unavailable in Pakistan, are now being manufactured locally. We believe this development will not only reduce reliance on imported medical equipment but also help Pakistan significantly cut its health sector import bill by $2 billion in the next five years,” Motiwala said while speaking at the 21st Health Asia exhibition held at Karachi’s Expo Centre last week.
Motiwala added that Pakistani companies have established export networks worldwide for surgical items and pharmaceutical products and that exports of medical devices and equipment could be enhanced through collaborative efforts among all stakeholders.
Manufacturing medical devices is a sophisticated specialty; thus, exporting these items requires a greater level of testing and standardization before marketing them in the international market. Pakistan has great potential in various fields that can be actualized through realistic efforts, such as achieving export values of $5 to $8 billion through agro-based products.
Chairman of the Samane Shifa Foundation, Dr. Syed Shahid Noor, stated that Pakistan is capable of producing nuclear technology and military aircraft, and has now developed medical devices for local hospitals to ensure affordable healthcare for the masses. More than ten devices, including ventilators and cardiac stimulators, have been made locally, and over 20 devices are in the pipeline.
He mentioned that the global market for medical devices and equipment is valued at approximately Rs. 1 trillion. If Pakistan can capture just 1% of the worldwide market, it could significantly support the national economy.
Dr. Noor urged the government to incentivize this sector with a comprehensive policy aimed at reducing the country’s current account deficit. He suggested introducing investor-friendly policies based on recommendations from all stakeholders. Additionally, he stated that duties on raw materials should be reduced or waived, and that both government and private sector hospitals should be encouraged to procure DRAP-approved, made-in-Pakistan products.
Syed Omar Ahmed, Chairman of the Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan (HDAP), argued that medical device importers have the potential to become manufacturers due to their established sales distribution networks and knowledge of the sector. However, he emphasized that the government should develop policies to attract both foreign and local investment through a level playing field. He pointed out that 98% of medical devices in Pakistan are imported, and since margins in this business depend on volume, the government should rationalize the tax structure in this sector. A strong political will is needed to promote the emerging medical device industry through supportive policies, interventions, and incentives, fostering both import substitution and the export of medical equipment.

Dewan Farooque starts dispatching Honri EVs to Eco-Green Motors

on 24/10/2024

In a significant milestone for its electric vehicle initiative, Dewan Farooque Motors Limited has announced the dispatch of the inaugural batch of its Honri EV electric vehicles to Eco-Green Motors Limited. This development was disclosed in a stock filing on October 11, marking an important step in the company’s commitment to the burgeoning electric vehicle market.
The official notice, sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), highlighted the company’s progress in its toll manufacturing venture. “In continuation of our earlier letter dated July 23, 2024, in which we outlined our plans for toll manufacturing of Electric Vehicles Honri EV, we are pleased to announce that, Al-Hamdullilah, Dewan Farooque Motors Limited is successfully assembling these vehicles. The first lot of Electric Vehicles has now been dispatched to Eco-Green Motors Limited,” the notice stated.
This development aligns with Dewan Farooque Motors’ strategic focus on innovation in automotive technology and its commitment to promoting sustainable transportation solutions across Pakistan.
Earlier this year, on May 30, 2024, the company formalized a toll manufacturing agreement with Eco-Green Motors, paving the way for the production of the Horn-EV models, which are designed with ranges of 200KM and 300KM. This agreement positions Dewan Farooque Motors as a frontrunner in the electric vehicle sector within the country. The production of these electric vehicles officially began in September at the company’s assembly plant, further cementing its role as a key player in the industry.
Founded in 1998 and part of the Yousuf Dewan Group, Dewan Farooque Motors has a rich history of collaboration with global automotive giants such as Hyundai and KIA, focusing on the assembly, manufacture, and sale of their vehicles in Pakistan. With this latest advancement in electric vehicle manufacturing, the company is poised to contribute significantly to the transition towards eco-friendly transportation solutions in the region.

SC Closes Diamer-Bhasha, Mohmand Dams Fund

on 24/10/2024

The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued a written order concerning the hearing from October 9 about the funds for the Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams. Chief Justice Qaze Faez Isa authored the order, which directs that the dam funds be transferred to the Public Account of the Federation. Following this transfer, the accounts under “The Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund” are to be closed.
The court instructed that a sub-account be created in the Public Account of the Federation or another suitable measure be taken to allow these funds to be deposited in high-rated private scheduled banks to earn interest. When funds are needed for the dams’ construction, the collected amount along with any accrued interest should be used.
The order also mentioned the Implementation Bench, which was formed on January 9, 2019, consisting of five judges: Justice Sh. Azmat Saeed, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Faisal Arab, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar. This bench was established by a previous court panel that included the then Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar. However, the court noted that there is no record indicating that the Implementation Bench carried out any work or reviewed the progress reports submitted by WAPDA.
The court stated, “If the Implementation Bench did not examine the progress reports, their submission is pointless. Furthermore, with the retirement of four of the judges, the Implementation Bench currently lacks a quorum. WAPDA’s counsel also indicated that preparing progress reports requires significant time, money, and effort.”
Consequently, the court ruled that WAPDA need not submit any further progress reports unless specifically directed, given that the Implementation Bench is effectively non-existent. The order concluded with the disposal of the listed applications and all related petitions.