Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Bioplastics01:27

Bioplastics

48
Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
48

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Recent Advances in Additively Manufactured Polymeric Structures for Mechanical Energy Absorption.

Polymers·2026
Same author

Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses: A Review on Structure-Directing-Based Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Composites Derived from Aluminium-Modified Biphasic Calcium-Phosphate for Bone Regeneration.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Near-Compensated Ferrimagnetism in Disordered Co<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>Al Half-Heusler Alloy: Experimental and Theoretical Studies.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Carrier Mobility, Electrical Conductivity, and Photovoltaic Properties of Ordered Nanostructures Assembled from Semiconducting Polymers.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Enhancing Mechanical Energy Absorption of Honeycomb and Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Lattice Structures Produced by Fused Deposition Modelling in Reusable Polymers.

Polymers·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 8, 2026

A Polymer-based Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester with a 3D Meshed-Core Structure
09:51

A Polymer-based Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester with a 3D Meshed-Core Structure

Published on: February 20, 2019

25.9K

Reusable 3D-Printed Thermoplastic Polyurethane Honeycombs for Mechanical Energy Absorption.

Alin Bustihan1, Razvan Hirian1, Ioan Botiz1,2

  • 1Department of Physics of Condensed Matter and Advanced Technologies, Faculty of Physics, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Polymers
|November 27, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Reusable 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) honeycomb structures show excellent energy absorption. The hexagonal TPU 95A design achieved 47% energy absorption efficiency, offering a cost-effective solution for impact protection.

Keywords:
3D printinghoneycomb structuresimpact protection applicationsmechanical propertiesthermoplastic polymers

More Related Videos

A 3D Printed Pollen Trap for Bumble Bee Bombus Hive Entrances
07:19

A 3D Printed Pollen Trap for Bumble Bee Bombus Hive Entrances

Published on: July 9, 2020

5.9K
Characterizing Dissipative Elastic Metamaterials Produced by Additive Manufacturing
09:39

Characterizing Dissipative Elastic Metamaterials Produced by Additive Manufacturing

Published on: June 28, 2024

1.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 8, 2026

A Polymer-based Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester with a 3D Meshed-Core Structure
09:51

A Polymer-based Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester with a 3D Meshed-Core Structure

Published on: February 20, 2019

25.9K
A 3D Printed Pollen Trap for Bumble Bee Bombus Hive Entrances
07:19

A 3D Printed Pollen Trap for Bumble Bee Bombus Hive Entrances

Published on: July 9, 2020

5.9K
Characterizing Dissipative Elastic Metamaterials Produced by Additive Manufacturing
09:39

Characterizing Dissipative Elastic Metamaterials Produced by Additive Manufacturing

Published on: June 28, 2024

1.5K

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Additive Manufacturing

Background:

  • Honeycomb structures are known for their energy absorption capabilities.
  • 3D printing offers customization for complex geometries.
  • Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) are versatile elastomers with tunable properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the mechanical energy absorption of reusable 3D-printed honeycomb structures.
  • To investigate the influence of TPU variants and honeycomb geometry on performance.
  • To identify optimal configurations for energy absorption applications.

Main Methods:

  • Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) was used to fabricate honeycomb structures from TPU 70A, 85A, and 95A.
  • Mechanical properties of TPU filaments were analyzed at varying printing temperatures.
  • Out-of-plane compression testing was performed on hexagonal and circular honeycomb configurations (with and without 30° twist).

Main Results:

  • The hexagonal honeycomb from TPU 95A achieved the highest energy absorption efficiency (47%).
  • This performance surpassed expanded polystyrene and neared advanced lattice structures.
  • Twisted configurations improved crushing load efficiency (up to 73.5%), enhancing stress distribution and reusability.
  • TPU 95A offered the best balance of elasticity, integrity, and reusability.

Conclusions:

  • 3D-printed TPU honeycomb structures are a viable, cost-effective alternative for energy absorption.
  • These structures show potential for impact protection systems, automotive safety, and sports equipment.
  • Material selection (TPU 95A) and geometric design (hexagonal, twisted) are critical for optimizing performance.