Chinese scientists leverage metal 3D printing to upgrade traditional material manufacturing industry

Researchers at a laboratory in Foshan City, south China's Guangdong Province, have deepened their research on metal 3D printing technology, also known as metal additive manufacturing, to upgrade the traditional materials manufacturing industry.

Metal 3D printing is a laser-based technology that constructs objects layer by layer by fusing metal particles. It employs heat or light energy, such as a laser or electron beam, to melt or bond the metal powder, spreading it over previous layers.

According to a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Additive Manufacturing of Ji Hua Laboratory, 3D printing has a great advantage in fabricating arbitrary shapes without any limitations and has great potential in preparing controllable porous structures.

"In traditional methods of processing, we need to produce these channels first and then weld them at the corresponding points, which can result in tiny welding defect pores in the welding area. However, 3D printing completely avoids the possibility of welding defects because it is integrally formed. Our whole industry is gradually developing in the direction of larger sizes, more lasers, and higher efficiency," said Gao Chaofeng, doctoral student at the Institute of Advanced Additive Manufacturing of Ji Hua Laboratory.

Another researcher at the lab pointed out that they aim to make more progress in new material and key components development in some key areas.

"We aim to solve some of the main difficulties in the industry at present, such as improving the quality and performance of products and reducing costs. In the long run, we strive to develop new materials and future technologies in China, especially in equipment such as key components for engines and aerospace fields," said Bi Yunjie, deputy director of the Institute of Advanced Additive Manufacturing of Ji Hua Laboratory.

Ji Hua Laboratory is one of the first four provincial-level laboratories initiated by the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government. Since its establishment more than six years ago, the laboratory has mainly focused on new display equipment, semiconductor equipment and key components, intelligent robots, high-end medical equipment, advanced remote sensing equipment, additive manufacturing equipment, and new materials and devices.

Chinese scientists leverage metal 3D printing to upgrade traditional material manufacturing industry

Over 100 migrants deported by the United States to Panama, stranded in a foreign country with no money, no knowledge of Spanish and no future, complained they were misled, detained in harsh conditions, and forcibly removed without proper explanation, raising human rights violation concerns.

The United States has deported 299 migrants from multiple countries to Panama since February, designating the Central American nation as a temporary transit hub under a bilateral agreement between the two countries. At least 107 migrants remain stranded in Panama after refusing repatriation to their home countries, according to Panamanian authorities. Now 192 of the 299 deportees have returned to their home countries. The 107 migrants, transferred to a government-run shelter on the outskirts of Panama City, complained they were detained in U.S. facilities under harsh conditions and deported without clear communication about their destinations. "We weren't allowed to rest while in custody. Every time when we were about to fall asleep, someone would bang on the door, which made us very uneasy. We thought we were to be sent to Texas, but after a six-hour flight we found out we were in Panama," said a deportee from Afghanistan.

An Eritrean migrant, interviewed in English, described similar confusion.

"We weren't told (that we are being deported). We just [went] to the airport by bus, (and waited) for one hour after one hour at the airport. I think (in total there were) maybe 60 people. I was not told (we were going to) Panama, just to move (to another place of custody) maybe," he said.

"Many of the deported migrants expressed that the deportations were carried out against their personal will and violated their human rights. As far as we can see, there are indeed violations of human rights in evictions," said Raphael Rodriguez, President of the Association of Naturalized Residents of Panama.

Panama has issued 30-day humanitarian visas to the deported migrants, extendable to 90 days. However, they must cover their own expenses and find a way to leave the country.

"I have children in Africa. In Panama, we don't have good work. I have nothing, so I don't know what I can do," said the deported Eritrean immigrant.

Deportees accuse US of human right violations