UNICEF highlights emerging AM applications for children
Pointing to the potentially transformative applications as well as the risks of the technology for the humanitarian and development sector
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) has highlighted emerging additive manufacturing applications for children, reporting that the technology has great potential to drive progress against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
‘Additive Manufacturing: emerging innovations for children’ highlights examples of diverse applications of additive manufacturing and its potential multiplier effect for the humanitarian and development sector. The use of AM has progressed beyond rapid prototyping. Its potential has increased due to advances in digital production technologies, advanced robotics, machine capabilities (printers), and materials such as high-performance metals and biomaterials.
For example, AM has revolutionized tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. It has made it possible to create individualized implants and prosthetics that improve patient comfort and outcomes in orthopaedic applications, especially for children. The multidimensional impact of additive manufacturing for the Sustainable Development Goals points to the potentially transformative applications as well as the risks of this technology for the humanitarian and development sector.
The files can be downloaded from the UNICEF website.
