100PhDs for Africa - news from Maurine Andanje
© 2025 EXAF/EPFL
We are proud to present the work of Maurine Andanje from the first cohort, supervised by James W. Mwangi (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology) and Sandro Carrara (EPFL), whose research opens up new perspectives for the sustainable development of materials in 3D printing. Their study explores the use of recycled resources to create high-performance biofilaments that address both environmental challenges and the growing need for innovative materials for additive manufacturing.
By combining recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) and rice husks, an agricultural by-product, the team has developed a method for manufacturing biofilaments optimised for fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology. The extrusion parameters—heating temperature, screw speed and fan cooling—were optimised using the Taguchi method. The optimal conditions identified, namely a temperature of 220°C, a speed of 10 rpm and cooling of 30%, produce filaments with a diameter of 1.63 mm and excellent sectional uniformity.
This innovative approach leverages plastic and agricultural waste to develop materials with properties suitable for 3D printing, while promoting a circular economy. It thus helps reduce the environmental footprint of the plastics industry while offering concrete solutions for waste recovery.
By integrating bio-based materials into the development of composites for 3D printing, this research demonstrates how technological innovation can be used to promote more sustainable and accessible production.
100PhDs for Africa is a programme that grew out of the Excellence for Africa initiative run jointly by Mohammed IV Polytechnic University in Morocco and EPFL.