Story perspectives

New CRAFT Method Revolutionizes 3D Printing for Medical Models

2/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and Sandia National Laboratories developed Crystallinity Regulation in Additive Fabrication of Thermoplastics (CRAFT), a method using cyclooctene to vary mechanical and optical properties.
CRAFT can produce realistic medical models, such as a human hand, that simulate tissue textures and offer a cost-effective alternative to cadavers.
CRAFT enables melting and recasting of printed objects.
Findings were published in Science on January 29, 2026.

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Story summary

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and Sandia National Laboratories developed Crystallinity Regulation in Additive Fabrication of Thermoplastics (CRAFT), a method using cyclooctene to vary mechanical and optical properties.
CRAFT can produce realistic medical models, such as a human hand, that simulate tissue textures and offer a cost-effective alternative to cadavers.
CRAFT enables melting and recasting of printed objects.
Findings were published in Science on January 29, 2026.