If you've been wanting more Pokmon avatars for your Switch, the Switch Online 'Missions and Rewards' program is now offering new and returning icons.As highlighted by Serebii.net, you can now get icons based on Pokmon Scarlet and Violet's DLC offerings. The first wave is now underway and will be followed by multiple other icons featuring trainers and various Pokmon from the newest entries.Here's a look at what's up for grabs (including a Shiny Rayquaza):NSO Icon Alerts on social media has provided a closer look at the first wave of offerings based on The Teal Mask. The avatars are 10 Platinum Points each and borders & backgrounds will set you back 5 Platinum Points each.In some related news, a new distribution event is also available for Scarlet and Violet. And in some other Pokmon news this week, Scarlet and Violet have also surpassed the sales of Pokmon Red and Green in Japan. You can learn more about this in our previous coverage on Nintendo Life: Finally overtaking Red and GreenGet 'em while they're hotSubscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube785kWatch on YouTube Will you be grabbing any of these new icons? Let us know in the comments.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesMario & Luigi's Future In Doubt As A Potential Sony Acquisition EmergesMust... consolidate...New Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Update Leaves The Switch BehindLa-li-lu-le-lower resolutionReview: Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (Switch) - Square Doesn't Drop The Ball, Just Some FramesThe wait is finally overThe First Review For Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Is InFamitsu rates it

The U.K. government is not ruling out further beefing up existing online safety rules by adding an Australian-style ban on social media for under 16s technology secretary, Peter Kyle, has said. Back in the summer the government warned it may toughen laws for tech platforms in the wake of riots that were perceived to have been fuelled by online disinformation following a knife attack which killed three young girls. Since then its emerged that some of the people prosecuted for rioting were minors amping up concerns about social medias influence on impressionable, developing minds. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today program on Wednesday Kyle was asked whether the government would ban social media for under 16s. He responded by saying everything is on the table with me.Kyle was being interviewed as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) set out its priorities for enforcement of the Online Safety Act (OSA) which parliament passed last year. The OSA targets a grab-bag of online harms, from cyberbullying and hate speech, to intimate image abuse, scam ads and animal cruelty, with U.K. legislators saying they want to make the country the safest place to go online in the world. Although the strongest driver has been a child safeguarding impetus, with lawmakers responding to concerns that kids are accessing harmful and inappropriate content. DSITs Statement of Strategic Priorities continues this theme, by putting child safety at the top of the list. Strategic Priorities for online safetyHere are DSITs five priorities for the OSA in full: 1. Safety by design:Embed safety by design to deliver safe online experiences for all users but especially children, tackle violence against women and girls, and work towards ensuring that there are no safe havens for illegal content and activity, including fraud, child sexual exploitation and abuse, and illegal disinformation.2. Transparency and accountability:Ensure industry transparency and accountability from platforms to deliver online safety outcomes, promoting increased trust and expanding the evidence-base to provide safer experiences for users.3. Agile regulation:Deliver an agile approach to regulation, ensuring the framework is robust in monitoring and tackling emerging harms such as AI generated content.4. Inclusivity and resilience:Create an inclusive, informed and vibrant digital world which is resilient to potential harms, including disinformation.5. Technology and innovation:Foster the innovation of online safety technologies to improve the safety of users and drive growth.The mention of illegal disinformation is interesting since the last government removed clauses in the bill that had focused on this area over freedom of speech concerns. But in the wake of the summer riots the government said it would review OSA powers and could seek to strengthen them in light of social media use during the disorder.It is essential that we learn from these events and hold platforms to account for their part in securing the UK online information environment and safeguarding the UK from future crises, the government wrote. In Wednesdays full draft statement, it also had this to say on online mis/disinformation:A particular area of focus for the government is the vast amount of misinformation and disinformation that can be encountered by users online. Platforms should have robust policies and tools in place to minimise this content where it relates to their duties under the Act.Countering misinformation and disinformation is challenging for services, given the need to preserve legitimate debate and free speech online. However, the growing presence of disinformation poses a unique threat to our democratic processes and to societal cohesion in the UK and must be robustly countered. Services should also remain live to emerging information threats, with the flexibility to quickly and robustly respond, and minimise the damaging effects on users, particularly vulnerable groups.DSITs intervention will steer how Ofcom enforces the law by requiring it to report back on the governments priorities.For over a year, Ofcom, the regulator tasked with overseeing Internet platforms and services compliance with the OSA, has been preparing to implement the OSA by consulting and producing detailed guidance, such as in areas like age verification technology. Enforcement of the regime is finally expected to start from next Spring when Ofcom will actively take up powers that could lead to fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover for tech firms that fail to meet the laws duty of care. What I want to do is look at the evidence, Kyle also said on kids and social media, pointing to the simultaneous launch of a feasibility study which he said would look at the areas where evidence is lacking.Per DSIT, this study will explore the effects of smartphone and social media use on children, to help bolster research and strengthen the evidence needed to build a safer online world.There are assumptions about the impact [social media] has on children and young people, but there is no firm, peer reviewed evidence, Kyle also told the BBC, suggesting that any U.K. ban on kids use of social media must be evidence-led. During the interview with the BBCs Emma Barnett, Kyle was also pressed on what the government has done to tackle gaps that he had previously suggested the online safety law contained. He responded by flagging a change its enacted that requires platforms to be more proactive about tackling intimate image abuse. Tackling intimate image abuseIn September DSIT announced that it is making sharing intimate images without consent a priority offence under the OSA requiring social media and other in-scope platforms and services to clamp down on the abusive practice or face the risk of big fines. The move effectively bumped up the severity of the intimate image abuse sharing offence within the Online Safety Act, so platforms have to be proactive in removing the content and prevent it from appearing in the first place, DSIT spokesman Glen Mcalpine confirmed. In further remarks to the BBC, Kyle said the change has meant social media companies must use algorithms to prevent intimate images from being uploaded in the first place. They had to proactively demonstrate to our regulator Ofcom that the algorithms would prevent that material going on in the first place. And if an image did appear online they needed to be taken down as fast as reasonably could be expected after being alerted, he said, warning of heavy fines for non-compliance. Its one area where you can see that harm is being prevented, rather than actually getting out into society and then us dealing with it afterwards which is what was happening before, he added. Now, thousands and thousands of women are now protected prevented from having the degradation, the humiliation, and sometimes being pushed towards suicidal thoughts because of that one power that I enacted.

OpenAI envisions teachers using its AI-powered tools to create lesson plans and interactive tutorials for students. But some educators are wary of the technology and its potential to go awry. Today, OpenAI released a free online course designed to help K-12 teachers learn how to bring ChatGPT, the companys AI chatbot platform, into their classrooms. Created in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media, with which OpenAI has an active partnership, the one-hour, nine-module program covers the basics of AI and its pedagogical applications.OpenAI says that its already deployed the course in dozens of schools, including the Agua Fria School District in Arizona, the San Bernardino School District in California, and the charter school system Challenger Schools. Per the companys internal research, 98% of participants said the program offered new ideas or strategies that they could apply to their work.Schools across the country are grappling with new opportunities and challenges as AI reshapes education, Robbie Torney, senior director of AI programs at Common Sense Media, said in a statement. With this course, we are taking a proactive approach to support and educate teachers on the front lines and prepare for this transformation.But some educators dont see the program as helpful and think it could in fact mislead.Image Credits:OpenAILance Warwick, a sports lecturer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is concerned resources like OpenAIs will normalize AI use among educators unaware of the techs ethical implications. While OpenAIs course covers some of ChatGPTs limitations, like that it cant fairly grade students work, Warwick found the modules on privacy and safety to be very limited and contradictory.In the example prompts [OpenAI gives], one tells you to incorporate grades and feedback from past assignments, while another tells you to create a prompt for an activity to teach the Mexican Revolution, Warwick noted. In the next module on safety, it tells you to never input student data, and then talks about the bias inherent in generative AI and the issues with accuracy. Im not sure those are compatible with the use cases.Sin Tres Souhaits, a visual artist and educator at The University of Arizona, says that hes found AI tools to be helpful in writing assignment guides and other supplementary course materials. But he also says hes concerned that OpenAIs program doesnt directly address how the company might exercise control over content teachers create using its services.If educators are creating courses and coursework on a program that gives the company the right to recreate and sell that data, that would destabilize a lot, Tres Souhaits told TechCrunch. Its unclear to me how OpenAI will use, package, or sell whatever is generated by their models.loIn its ToS, OpenAI states that it doesnt sell user data, and that users of its services, including ChatGPT, own the outputs they generate to the extent permitted by applicable law. Without additional assurances, however, Tres Souhaits isnt convinced that OpenAI wont quietly change its policies in the future.Image Credits:OpenAIFor me, AI is like crypto, Tres Souhaits said. Its new, so it offers a lot of possibility but its also so deregulated that I wonder how much I would trust any guarantee.Late last year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)pushedfor governments to regulate the use of AI in education, including implementing age limits for users and guardrails on data protection and user privacy. But little progress has been made on those fronts since and on AI policy in general.Tres Souhaits also takes issue with the fact that OpenAIs program, which OpenAI markets as a guide to AI, generative AI, and ChatGPT, doesnt mention any AI tools besides OpenAIs own. It feels like this reinforces the idea that OpenAI is the AI company, he said. Its a smart idea for OpenAI as a business. But we already have a problem with these tech-opolies companies that have an outsize influence because, as the tech was developed, they put themselves at the center of innovation and made themselves synonymous with the thing itself.Josh Prieur, a classroom teacher-turned-product director at educational games company Prodigy Education, had a more upbeat take on OpenAIs educator outreach. Prieur argues that there are clear upsides for teachers if school systems adopt AI in a thoughtful and responsible way, and he believes that OpenAIs program is transparent about the risks.There remain concerns from teachers around using AI to plagiarize content and dehumanize the learning experience, and also risks around becoming overly reliant on AI, Preiur said. But education is often key to overcoming fears around the adoption of new technology in schools, while also ensuring the right safeguards are in place to ensure students are protected and teachers remain in full control.OpenAI is aggressively going after the education market, which it sees as a key area of growth. Image Credits:OpenAIIn September, OpenAI hired former Coursera chief revenue officer Leah Belsky as its first GM of education, and chargefd her bringing OpenAIs products to more schools. And in the spring, the company launched ChatGPT Edu, a version of ChatGPT built foruniversities.According to Allied Market Research, the AI in education market could be worth $88.2 billion within the next decade. But growth is off to a sluggish start, in large part thanks to skeptical pedagogues.In a survey this year by the Pew Research Center, a quarter of public K-12 teachers said that using AI tools in education does more harm than good. A separate poll by the Rand Corporation and the Center on Reinventing Public Education found that just 18% of K-12 educators are using AI in their classrooms. Educational leaders have been similarly reluctant to try AI themselves, or introduce the technology to the educators they oversee. Per educational consulting firm EAB, few district superintendents view addressingAI as a very urgent needthis year particularly in light of pressing issues such as understaffing and chronic absenteeism.Mixed research on AIs educational impact hasnt helped convince the non-believers. University of Pennsylvania researchers found that Turkish high school students with access to ChatGPT did worse on a math test than students who didnt have access. In a separate study, researchers observed that German students using ChatGPT were able to find research materials more easily, but tended to synthesize those materials less skillfully than their non-ChatGPT-using peers.As OpenAI writes in its guide, ChatGPT isnt a substitute for engagement with students. Some educators and schools may never be convinced its a substitute for any step in the teaching process.

Audiences can finally get their first look at How to Train Your Dragon, the live-action reimagining of the first film in the hugely successful animated franchise launched by DreamWorks Animation back in 2010. Like so many productions, it was delayed by last years SAG-AFTRA strike, but is now set to fly into theaters June 13, 2025.The new filmis written, produced and directed by three-time Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, who along with The Wild Robot director Chris Sanders, wrote and directed the original. It is also produced by three-time Oscar nominee Marc Platt (Wicked, La La Land) and Emmy winner Adam Siegel (Drive, 2 Guns).Christian Manz is serving as production VFX supervisor; VFX studios on the film include Framestore and Clear Angle Studios.The film is set on the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the villages quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccups friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.The film also stars Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Gabriel Howell (Bodies), Bronwyn James (Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn (Smothered), Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club), BAFTA nominee Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones).Inspired by Cressida Cowells New York Times bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animations How to Train Your Dragon franchise earned four Academy Award nominations and grossed more than $1.6 billion at the global box-office.How To Train Your Dragon is part of the Filmed For IMAX Program, which offers filmmakers IMAX technology to help them deliver high-quality immersive movie experience to audiences around the world.Source: NBC Universal Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.

Chin Han, Hoa Xuande, Justin Chien, Amanda Zhou, Crystal Yu, Kelemete Misipeka, Lourdes Faberes and Rekha Sharma join the Netflix show currently in production in partnership with Nickelodeon.

Meet the man who turns the jungle into his playground: Kraven the Hunter! Watch this featurette for a glimpse into the ruthless skills and primal force of the MCUs most dangerous hunter!The VFX are made by:Image Engine (VFX Supervisor: Martyn Moose Culpitt)MPC (VFX Supervisor: Michele Alessi)Rodeo FX (VFX Supervisor: Mai-Ling Dydo)Crafty Apes (VFX Supervisor: Dave Morley)Distillery VFX (VFX Supervisor: Greg Kegel)The Production VFX Supervisor is Richard R. Hoover.The Production Additional VFX Supervisor is Mag Sarnowska.The Production VFX Producer is Geoff Anderson.Director: J.C. ChandorRelease Date: December 13, 2024 (USA) Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2023The post Kraven the Hunter appeared first on The Art of VFX.

Breakdown & ShowreelsThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2: VFX Breakdown by Outpost VFXBy Vincent Frei - 19/11/2024 The second season of The Rings of Power showcases the work crafted by Outpost VFX across various visual effects, including continuing the story of the ring-forging from Season 1, improving expansive environments, simulating large FX, and adding depth to fight sequence action!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Outpost VFX: Dedicated page about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 on Outpost VFX website.WATCH IT ON Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

This week, the team reviews the film HERE by director Robert Zemeckis. Earlier, we spoke to visual effects supervisor Kevin Baillie for the FXpodcast. In that earlier FXPodcast, Kevin discussed the innovative approaches used on set and the work of Metaphysics on de-aging. Starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Paul Bettany, and Kelly Reilly, Here is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time.The filmmaking techniques behind this film are undeniably groundbreaking, but on this weeks episode of The VFX Show, the panel finds itself deeply divided over the narrative and plot. One of our hosts, in particular, holds a strikingly strong opinion, sparking a lively debate that sets this discussion apart from most of our other shows. Few films have polarized the panel quite like this one. Dont miss the spirited conversation on podcast.Please note: This podcast was recorded before the interview with Kevin Ballie (fxpodcast).The Suburban Dads this week are:Matt Wallin * @mattwallin www.mattwallin.com.Follow Matt on Mastodon: @[emailprotected]Jason Diamond @jasondiamond www.thediamondbros.comMike Seymour @mikeseymour. www.fxguide.com. + @mikeseymourSpecial thanks to Matt Wallin for the editing & production of the show with help from Jim Shen.

The 3D Printing Industry Awards are designed to highlight both established applications of additive manufacturing and the next generation of AM. Our profiles of this years nominees for the 2024 3DPI Awards continue with a look at FIDENTIS, selected by our panel of experts, and the pubic nomination process for the shortlist in the 3D Printing Industry Awards Start of the Year.FIDENTIS, led by CEO Max Horn, is using 3D printing for dental prosthetics to address a critical supply gap in high-quality dentures. With an aging population and a retiring workforce of skilled dental technicians, FIDENTIS aims to industrialize the production of precision dental prostheses using advanced additive manufacturing techniques. A spin-off from the renowned Fraunhofer IGCV, FIDENTIS combines over 20 years of additive manufacturing expertise with insights from industry experts, like co-founder Josef Schweiger, a leading dental technician. Their innovative solutions deliver high-quality, reproducible, customizable parts that streamline dental lab workflows, reduce costs, and enhance patient satisfaction.Max Horn CEO. Photo via FIDENTIS.3DPI: What problem are you solving, and why is it important?Max Horn: Tooth loss is prevalent. The supply of high-quality dentures is limited because they are handmade by the best dental technicians. With many dental technicians retiring and an aging population, we face a supply gap of high-quality dentures. Industrial production is limited to low-quality solutions. Therefore, it is important to enable the industrial production of high-quality dentures in order to meet the rising demand.FIDENTIS Multi-Material Telescope. Photo via FIDENTIS.3DPI: Who is your target market?Max Horn: Our customers are dental technicians and dental laboratories. Our made-to-order products are delivered to dental technicians to finish the prostheses. This reduces production time, increases lab throughput, and eliminates unprofitable steps in the dental lab. Our customers receive high-quality, reproducible, customized parts that save them time and money. Dentists benefit from fewer patient visits, and FIDENTIS quality, time, and cost benefits increase patient satisfaction.3DPI: Who are the founders and core team members, and what is their experience in this industry?Max Horn: FIDENTIS is a spin-off from the Fraunhofer IGCVthe worlds leading research institute for multi-material additive manufacturing of metals. As a scientist at Fraunhofer IGCV and doctoral student at TUM, I have been researching and shaping the technology since 2017. A few years ago, Josef Schweiger, one of Germanys most renowned dental technicians, discovered the manufacturing solution, mainly used in toolmaking and aerospace, and immediately recognized its potential for the dental industry. We joined forces and, together with our colleagues, further developed the technology to process precious metals and meet the high demands placed on dental prostheses. Together, our founding team has over 20 years of additive manufacturing experience and a strong background in medical technology. We bring the perfect mix to innovate dental production with our mentors and advisors from the dental industry. Our mission is to use scalable production technologies, collaborate effectively, and create an environment that fosters talent to ensure sustainable access to products that make people smile.Founding Team FIDENTIS. Photo via FIDENTIS.3DPI: What technical challenges have you encountered so far, and how did you overcome them?Max Horn: The regulatory framework in the EU has not yet been a setback, but it is at least a major challenge. It goes without saying that patient welfare has top priority and that peoples health must not be jeopardized by new care solutions. At the same time, the legal framework and the way in which it is implemented is extremely restrictive to innovation and costs a lot of energynot just for us as a start-up. In order to counteract the shortage of specialists and rising costs in the healthcare sector as a society, we need to be more agile in our approach to innovation.FIDENTIS Multi-Material Lasermelting Technology. Photo via FIDENTIS.3DPI: Who do you consider to be the competition in this market? How does your proposition meet underserved needs or outperform?Max Horn: We do not compete with dental technicians, but rather create synergies with them by improving their efficiency and allowing them to focus on their core activities. Industrial production is at the moment limited to solutions without friction telescopes, which are critical for a secure fit in the patients mouth. Our solutions enable dental laboratories to scale their production of high-quality solutions with friction telescopes.3DPI: What milestones have you achieved, and what are your next major goals?Max Horn: In May 2024 we have secured EXIST Transfer of Research Funding of 1.6M, which enables us to further develop our technology accordingly to the needs of patients and dental technicians. We also won the 3D Pioneers Challenge in the MedTech category. The positive response from industry experts shows us that we are on the right track and motivates us to keep up the pace and drive our vision forward intensively. Our next major goal is to make our first patients smile again.FIDENTIS Robot Integration. Photo via FIDENTIS.3DPI: Is there anything else you would like to add?Thank you to everyone who supported us on our way. Without the tremendous support of experts, mentors, colleagues, and funding bodies this would not have been possible.Want to share insights on key industry trends and the future of 3D printing? Register now to be included in the 2025 3D Printing Industry Executive Survey.What 3D printing trends do the industry leaders anticipate this year?What does the Future of 3D printing hold for the next 10 years?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Michael PetchMichael Petch is the editor-in-chief at 3DPI and the author of several books on 3D printing. He is a regular keynote speaker at technology conferences where he has delivered presentations such as 3D printing with graphene and ceramics and the use of technology to enhance food security. Michael is most interested in the science behind emerging technology and the accompanying economic and social implications.

In the build-up to the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards, we take a closer look at some of the enterprises nominated as leaders in the additive manufacturing sector.Dr. Olga Dr. O Ivanova, Ph.D., is the Director of Applications & Technology at Mechnano, LLC. Specializing in advanced material science, Dr. O and her team have developed DFunc technology, a pioneering solution that prevents the issue of carbon nanotube (CNT) agglomeration, thereby enhancing the base material properties and enabling features like conductivity. By optimizing electrostatic discharge (ESD) performance, Mechnano addresses critical challenges faced by industries such as electronics and healthcare, where inconsistent ESD can lead to equipment damage and safety hazards. The company is poised to expand its influence by developing versatile, next-generation materials.Read more about this years 3D Printing Industry Awards, including Start-up of Year, and leading innovations and technology. Dont forget to vote!3DPI: Can you describe your 3D printing innovation and how it differs from existing technologies in the market?Dr. O: Our technology, known as DFunc, is designed to target the innate tendency of carbon nanotubes to agglomerate. By achieving a distinct state and making modifications to the sidewalls to prevent re-agglomeration, we are able to improve the performance of the base materials and unlock additional properties such as conductivity. This, in turn, broadens the range of applications for additive manufacturing materials. Competitors in the market utilize agglomerated CNTs, leading to inconsistent performance and failure points in fabricated components.The difference in the CNT dispersion quality achieved by Mechnano compared to that of competitor. Microscopy images by Mechnano.3DPI: What specific problem does your innovation solve, and what makes it a groundbreaking solution in the 3D printing space?Dr. O: Dfunc in additive manufacturing (AM) materials serves as a crucial solution to combat the challenge of inconsistent Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) performance, ultimately preventing part failure. In certain industries, the unreliability of ESD performance in AM materials has led to a sense of disappointment, causing some to abandon the use of AM solutions altogether. Furthermore, the variability in ESD values found in injection molding materials has added to this complexity. Mechnano has taken a proactive approach by refining materials from resins to powders and pellets, strategically optimizing the ESD performance of our materials. This meticulous process ensures the materials are finely tuned to address the issue, providing a reliable solution for consistent ESD performance.3DPI: Which industries or sectors do you see your technology bringing the most benefits, and why?Dr. O: The use of Mechnanos materials is advantageous for any industry facing issues with electrostatic discharge. In the electronics sector, for instance, a major concern is the potential harm to delicate electronic components. When ESD occurs near electronic devices, it can produce a high voltage surge that exceeds their tolerance levels, resulting in irreversible damage and system malfunction. Additionally, ESD can lead to data loss in computer systems or disrupt the operation of medical devices. In addition to these technical challenges, ESD can also pose safety risks to individuals, such as electric shocks or fires in environments with flammable materials.An assembly gig fabricated with Mechnanos PK ESD SLS powder ensures reliable ESD performance across the entire component. Photo by Mechnano3DPI: Is your 3D printing solution scalable for mass production, and if so, what steps have you taken to ensure scalability without compromising quality?Dr. O: Our 3D printing material manufacturing is highly scalable for mass production due to the implementation of meticulous quality assurance and quality control protocols. We have taken proactive steps to ensure scalability without compromising quality by investing in state-of-the-art equipment, streamlining production processes, and continually monitoring and optimizing our procedures. Robust QA/QC protocols are an integral part of our production line, guaranteeing that each and every batch meets stringent quality standards before reaching our customers. By maintaining strict adherence to these protocols, we can confidently scale our production to meet increasing demands while upholding the highest standards of quality and consistency.3DPI: What milestones have you achieved, and what are your next major goals?Dr. O: At Mechnano, we take pride in the milestones we have achieved thus far. By developing a range of innovative resins that meet diverse performance targets, and by introducing powders for SLS and pellets for extrusion processes, we have significantly advanced our product offerings. Looking ahead, our next major goals include the release of two additional pellet products in the coming months. Furthermore, we are focused on expanding our portfolio beyond ESD applications, showcasing our dedication to continuous growth and innovation. Stay tuned for more exciting developments as we strive to push boundaries and meet the evolving needs of our customers in the industry.A wave solder pallet made with Mechnanos high temperature ESD resin C-Lite. Photo by Mechnano3DPI: Can you say something about the development process behind your innovation, including key challenges and how they were overcome?Dr. O: Incorporating carbon nanotubes into additive manufacturing materials poses several complex challenges that require careful attention and ongoing research efforts. The unique characteristics of carbon nanotubes, including their high aspect ratio and remarkable strength, have the potential to enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of manufactured components. However, issues such as their dispersion within the material, bonding with the surrounding matrix, scalability of production, and cost-effectiveness must be addressed for widespread adoption. Mechnano scientists are working tirelessly to overcome these obstacles through rigorous scientific research, with the goal of fully realizing the benefits of carbon nanotubes in additive manufacturing. Our efforts are focused on developing innovative techniques to improve the uniformity and distribution of nanotubes within materials, as well as optimizing manufacturing processes to ensure consistent quality and performance. By consistently pushing the boundaries of research and innovation, our team aims to transform the additive manufacturing industry and pave the way for the next generation of advanced materials.Want to share insights on key industry trends and the future of 3D printing? Register now to be included in the 2025 3D Printing Industry Executive Survey.What 3D printing trends do the industry leaders anticipate this year?What does the Future of 3D printing hold for the next 10 years?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Michael PetchMichael Petch is the editor-in-chief at 3DPI and the author of several books on 3D printing. He is a regular keynote speaker at technology conferences where he has delivered presentations such as 3D printing with graphene and ceramics and the use of technology to enhance food security. Michael is most interested in the science behind emerging technology and the accompanying economic and social implications.