3D printing has emerged as a readily available tool that chemists can use to create models of molecular structures.  The most common type of low-cost 3D printer makes use of an additive manufacturing technology called fused-filament fabrication (FFF) to deposit layers of plastic with up to sub-100 micrometer resolution to generate space-filling forms with high precision.  Students and instructors have successfully used non-commercial 3D printers of this type to create ball-and-stick models of simple chemical and crystalline structures, as well as more elaborate models that illustrate, for example, stereochemical, chiral, and protein structure.  Accurate, tangible 3D printed molecular models not only help students better visualize and understand subtleties that might otherwise be difficult to discern about a chemical structure, but involvement in 3D printing curricular projects has been shown to increase student enthusiasm for engaging with abstract chemistry topics.  Examples of 3D printing activities that have been incorporated into the chemistry curriculum at Stetson University will be presented.  Lessons learned over the last six years about how to successfully incorporate 3D printing in the chemical curriculum will be discussed, including the advantages of having a centrally-located, university-supported 3D printing lab that offers multiple printers, extended-hours of access, and a technical support staff.  Recent experimentation in printing colorized 3D chemical structures will also be discussed.

From MakerBots to new generation color inkjet modeling:  Six years of 3D printing in support of chemical education at Stetson University

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.