the United Kingdom’s
industrial goods and manufacturing industry,
in focus.

Construction‑focused 3D printing challenges

26.8% of this theme group

Researchers discuss difficulties in printing systems, material properties, and process integration for building and construction applications.

3D printing (650) · 3d model (87) · Manufacturing engineering (129) · Architectural engineering (44)

Bibliographic analysis on 3D printing in the building and construction industry: Printing systems, material properties, challenges, and futu

Improving printed products manufacturing technology using 3D printing

Nanocomposite and multifunctional printing issues

23.3% of this theme group

Papers highlight obstacles in combining nanomaterials, composites, and multi‑material strategies within additive manufacturing.

3D printing (474) · Nanotechnology (88) · Composite material (57) · Fabrication (65)

Increasing the functionalities of 3D printed microchemical devices by single material, multimaterial, and print-pause-print 3D printing

3D Printing‐Enabled Nanoparticle Alignment: A Review of Mechanisms and Applications

Medical and pharmaceutical printing barriers

13.5% of this theme group

Studies identify technical and regulatory hurdles when applying 3D printing to medical devices, drug delivery, and healthcare.

3D printing (322) · 3d printed (105) · Medical physics (26) · Health care (26)

A Review of 3D Printing Technology for Medical Applications

3D PRINTING IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY: A SPECIAL CONSIDERATION ON MEDICAL DEVICE AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Aerospace additive manufacturing constraints

11.6% of this theme group

Research points to material, certification, and performance limits that impede 3D printing adoption in aerospace production.

3D printing (203) · Manufacturing engineering (85) · Aerospace (47) · Production (25)

On the Evolution of Additive Manufacturing (3D/4D Printing) Technologies: Materials, Applications, and Challenges

Additive manufacturing for Aerospace

Bioprinting and tissue scaffold difficulties

9.8% of this theme group

Authors note challenges in bio‑ink formulation, cell viability, and scaffold design for regenerative medicine.

Tissue engineering (68) · Scaffold (42) · Nanotechnology (101) · 3D bioprinting (47)

Development of 3D bioprinting: From printing methods to biomedical applications

3D printing in biomedical engineering: Processes, materials, and applications

Fused deposition modeling reliability concerns

7.8% of this theme group

Works examine common defects, post‑processing needs, and repeatability problems in FDM‑based polymer printing.

Fused deposition modeling (138) · Fused filament fabrication (52) · Deposition (43) · 3D printing (125)

Failures and Flaws in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Additively Manufactured Polymers and Composites

An Overview of Post-Processing of Fused Deposition Modelling 3D Printed Products

Selective laser melting microstructure issues

7.1% of this theme group

Literature reports on residual stress, defect formation, and alloy‑specific challenges in laser‑based powder bed fusion.

Selective laser melting (157) · Laser (42) · Microstructure (36) · Residual stress (26)

Review of selective laser melting of magnesium alloys: advantages, microstructure and mechanical characterizations, defects, challenges, and

Selective Laser Melting of Aluminum and Its Alloys

Process parameter impact on part quality

21.8% of this theme group

Researchers caution that slicer settings and extrusion choices strongly affect mechanical and surface properties of printed parts.

3D printing (218) · 3d printed (83) · Stereolithography (42) · Extrusion (45)

INFLUENCE OF SLICER SOFTWARE USED WITH 3D PRINTING FILAMENT EXTRUSION TECHNOLOGY ON PROPERTIES OF PRINTED PARTS WITH SHORT FIBER REINFORCED

Microscale 3D Printed Pillars and Porous Polymeric Structures: Manufacturability and Micromechanics

Supply‑chain and production integration risks

21.4% of this theme group

Papers warn about logistical, scalability, and workflow complexities when embedding 3D printing into manufacturing chains.

3D printing (312) · 3d printed (85) · Supply chain (17) · Production (23)

Three-Dimensional Printing Surgical Applications.

Applications of Three-Dimensional Printing in Surgery

Residual stress and surface finish in laser melting

15.2% of this theme group

Studies highlight how stress buildup and roughness can compromise durability of selectively laser‑melted components.

Selective laser melting (221) · Laser (56) · Residual stress (38) · Surface roughness (37)

Numerical investigation of residual stresses in thin-walled additively manufactured structures from selective laser melting

Corrosion Testing of a Heat Treated 316 L Functional Part Produced by Selective Laser Melting

Mechanical performance variability of printed polymers

11.8% of this theme group

Analyses show that tensile and flexural strengths of printed polymers fluctuate with printing parameters and material blends.

Ultimate tensile strength (97) · Composite material (112) · Flexural strength (19) · Extrusion (32)

The influence of 3D printing process parameters on the mechanical performance of PLA polymer and its correlation with hardness

The influence of printing parameters on the mechanical properties of 3D printed TPU-based elastomers

Hybrid polymer‑metal FDM limitations

10.8% of this theme group

Research points to bonding, porosity, and consistency challenges when combining polymers and metals via fused deposition.

Fused deposition modeling (118) · Deposition (41) · Fused filament fabrication (39) · 3D printing (77)

Recent Developments in Fused Deposition Modeling-Based 3D Printing of Polymers and Their Composites

Three-Dimensional (3D) Printing of Polymer-Metal Hybrid Materials by Fused Deposition Modeling

Porosity and inspection challenges in metal fusion

10.4% of this theme group

Authors discuss difficulty achieving uniform density and reliable non‑destructive testing for laser‑powder‑bed parts.

Fusion (25) · Porosity (22) · Raw material (9) · Fabrication (20)

Comparison of the porosity and mechanical performance of 316L stainless steel manufactured on different laser powder bed fusion metal additi

Assessing the results of ultrasonic testing of additive manufactured parts with alternative methods

Alloy microstructure control in laser melting

8.6% of this theme group

Papers caution that achieving desired grain structures and strength in selective laser melted alloys remains problematic.

Microstructure (122) · Selective laser melting (100) · Alloy (45) · Ultimate tensile strength (49)

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TiC-Reinforced 316L Stainless Steel Composites Fabricated Using Selective Laser Melting

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of A7075 Alloy with Additional Si Objects Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

Broad manufacturing expansion of 3D printing

21.1% of this theme group

Researchers explore new product categories and process innovations that could widen additive manufacturing across industries.

3D printing (1,055) · Manufacturing engineering (123) · 3d printer (126) · 3d printed (217)

3D printing for clothing production

3D Printing Technologies

Smart hydrogels and microfluidic printing

20.8% of this theme group

Studies reveal potential for 3D printing to create self‑healing, adhesive, and functional hydrogel systems for advanced devices.

Nanotechnology (268) · 3D printing (709) · Self-healing hydrogels (144) · Microfluidics (128)

3D\nPrinting Method for Tough Multifunctional Particle-Based\nDouble-Network Hydrogels

3D Printing of Interpenetrating\nNetwork Flexible Hydrogels\nwith Enhancement of Adhesiveness

Biomedical and tissue engineering breakthroughs

13.9% of this theme group

Works highlight emerging printing techniques and materials that enable customized implants, orthopaedic solutions, and regenerative therapies.

3D printing (606) · 3d printed (261) · Biomedical engineering (115) · Tissue engineering (80)

A Review of Three-Dimensional Printing Technology for Medical Applications

3D Printing Materials and Technologies for Orthopaedic Applications

Tailored alloy microstructures via laser melting

12.7% of this theme group

Research shows how selective laser melting can produce engineered composites and porous structures for high‑performance applications.

Selective laser melting (647) · Microstructure (228) · Alloy (153) · Laser (163)

Selective Laser Melting Additive Manufacturing of TiC/AlSi10Mg Bulk-form Nanocomposites with Tailored Microstructures and Properties

Selective laser melting: A unit cell approach for the manufacture of porous, titanium, bone in‐growth constructs, suitable for orthopedic ap

High‑strength composite printing advancements

11.4% of this theme group

Papers discuss design and processing routes to improve tensile and flexural performance of fiber‑reinforced printed composites.

Composite material (350) · Composite number (144) · Ultimate tensile strength (154) · 3D printing (340)

Parameters Affecting the Mechanical Properties of Three-Dimensional (3D) Printed Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polylactide Composites

3D printing of composites: design parameters and flexural performance

Custom component replacement and wearable devices

11.4% of this theme group

Studies illustrate additive manufacturing’s role in producing bespoke automotive parts and biomechanically tuned wearable or implantable meshes.

Fabrication (128) · 3D printing (187) · Fusion (31) · Extrusion (60)

Additive Manufacturing: Additive Manufacturing of Biomechanically Tailored Meshes for Compliant Wearable and Implantable Devices (Adv. Funct

A Survey of the Use of Additive Fabrication in Component Replacement and Customised Automotive Modifications

FDM for analytical and high‑performance parts

8.6% of this theme group

Research points to using fused deposition modeling for bio‑analytical devices and advanced thermoplastic components with improved properties.

Fused deposition modeling (390) · Deposition (120) · Fused filament fabrication (100) · 3D printing (190)

Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing for (Bio)analytical Device Fabrication: Procedures, Materials, and Applications

Additive manufacturing of the high-performance thermoplastics: Experimental study and numerical simulation of the Fused Filament Fabrication

London

44.3% across the displayed hubs

18 companies hiring · $991.2M disclosed funding

Manchester

10.0% across the displayed hubs

4 companies hiring · $22.8M disclosed funding

Sheffield

8.9% across the displayed hubs

1 companies hiring · $29.1M disclosed funding

Birmingham

8.5% across the displayed hubs

4 companies hiring · $781.2K disclosed funding

Leeds

7.6% across the displayed hubs

1 companies hiring · $1.4M disclosed funding

Bristol

7.4% across the displayed hubs

3 companies hiring · $44.7M disclosed funding

Aberdeen

7.1% across the displayed hubs

2 companies hiring · $9.7M disclosed funding

Glasgow

6.1% across the displayed hubs

4 companies hiring · $4.8M disclosed funding