Announcing the 3D Hubs Student Grant 2017 Winners, with three recipients chosen from over 449 applicants from 300 universities.

After sifting through 449 applicants from 300 universities, 3D Hubs today reveals the three winners of their inaugural 3D Hubs Student Grant. The award attracted a broad spectrum of 3D printing applications in the fields of engineering, product design and architecture.

The Product Design winner is Abidur Chowdhury from Loughborough University with the Aer Asthma management system. The concept is to facilitate and encourage users to be more in control of their medication. Aer is designed in Solidworks, and 3D printed in PA 2200 (Nylon) using selective laser sintering (SLS) technology. SLS excels at high accuracy when creating multi-part assemblies and enclosures.

The Engineering winner is Dani Clode from the Royal College of Art with the Third Thumb. This is a 3D printed live-hinge thumb extension for the hand, to investigate the relationship between the body and prosthetic technology. The project is designed in Rhino, and Ninjaflex filament is used for the articulating parts of the thumb. More intricate detail for the shell is provided by Formlabs Black/Grey resin.

The Architecture winners are Deniz Haklar and Jordan Gracia from Rice University with their Micro-Housing project. The building is a formal investigation that “challenges the straight extrusion in order to increase the number of units on the periphery.” In other words, more of the building’s occupants can have nice views. The complex outer facade is modeled with Rhino; the next stage is 3D printing with PLA filament.

The winner from each category receives $500 and a professional photoshoot of their project. They will also have an honorable mention from 3D Hubs co-founder Brian Garret on LinkedIn.

3D Hubs Student Grant Winners have a Bright Future

According to Filemon Schoffer, 3D Hubs Chief Marketing Officer:

The reason we launched the Student Grant is to support the next generation of professionals who are pushing the boundaries of 3D printing. Through our celebration of innovative students by giving them the spotlight we hope to inspire others to challenge themselves at what they can achieve with 3D printing.

The winning projects had to pass criteria like impact, functionality, core concept, and the creative use of 3D printing. The most popular category for this year’s grant is Product Design with 203 entries. Next is Engineering with 146 entries, then Architecture with 100 entries.

In terms of academic spread, UK-based Loughborough University sent the most entries with 14. Close behind is Brunel University with 11, then New York’s Pratt Institute with 8.

Interesting to note was that the most commonly used 3D Software is Solidworks with 123 applicants. Next is Rhino with 80, then Autodesk Inventor with 37.

The 3D Hubs Student Grant will return in 2018, open for all eligible students around the world. Further details on dates and categories to come later this year.

Source: 3D Hubs Newsroom