Missouri
University of Missouri Develops New Assembly Process
Assembling products that contain dissimilar materials has challenged engineers for decades. However, a new production process developed at the University of Missouri may change that.
The Freeform Multi-material Assembly Process can create complex devices with a single machine that combines additive manufacturing and laser technology.
According to Jian “Javen” Lin, Ph.D., an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Mizzou, the new process can be used to mass-produce a variety of products, including multilayered sensors, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and textiles embedded with electronic components.
The process could also be used to produce different types of medical devices. Since it can use all thermoplastic materials as structure and carbon as conductive traces, it can create biocompatible products for task-specific applications.
“One of the main benefits is that innovators can focus on designing new products without worrying about how to prototype them,” explains Lin. “It will shorten fabrication time for device prototyping by allowing [engineers] to make prototypes in-house.
“This opens the possibility for entirely new markets,” claims Lin. “It will have broad impacts on wearable sensors, customizable robots, medical devices and [other products].”
“The advancement of 3D printing has already made it possible for designers to create products themselves at a significantly lower cost than outsourcing to a manufacturing company,” adds Bujingda Zheng, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at Mizzou who worked on the project. “This democratization of manufacturing means that as long as you have the design, a printer can produce it for you.
“However, desktop 3D printers are currently limited in their ability to fabricate products that require multiple materials,” notes Zheng. “Our new process addresses this limitation by enabling low-cost, multimaterial 3D printing, thus expanding the capabilities and applications of additive manufacturing technology.
“This advancement not only reduces production costs, but also opens up new possibilities for complex, multifunctional product designs,” claims Zheng..
“By printing sensors embedded within a structure, [our] machine can make things that can sense environmental conditions, including temperature and pressure,” says Zheng. “That could lead to natural-looking objects such as a rock or seashell that could measure the movement of ocean water. Other potential applications include wearable devices that monitor vital signs such as blood pressure.
“The greatest benefit would be a reduction in the time required to create PCBs,” explains Zheng. “The existing process for producing PCBs is totally different from ours. It involves chemical etching and other complicated [steps].
“Currently, manufacturing a multilayered structure such as a PCB can be a cumbersome process that involves numerous steps and materials,” Zheng points out. “Those processes are costly, time consuming and can generate waste that harms the environment.
“[Our] new process is simple,” claims Zheng. “It produces PCBs on one station without any waste. So, it will replace the traditional PCB manufacturing process. And, it can be fully automated.”
Zheng and his colleagues built a machine that has three different nozzles. One adds ink-like material; another uses a laser to carve shapes and materials; and the third adds additional functional materials to enhance the product’s capabilities.
It starts by making a basic structure with a regular 3D printing filament, such as polycarbonate. Then, it switches to laser to convert some parts into a special material called laser-induced graphene, putting it exactly where it’s needed. Finally, more materials are added to enhance the functional abilities of the final product.
“Not only is the new technique better for the planet, [but] it’s inspired by systems found in nature,” says Zheng. “Everything in nature consists of structural and functional materials.
“For example, electrical eels have bones and muscles that enable them to move,” Zheng points out. “They also have specialized cells that can discharge up to 500 volts to deter predators. These biological observations inspired [us] to develop new methods for fabricating 3D structures with multifunctional applications.”
According to Zheng, other techniques fall short when it comes to how versatile the material can be and how precisely smaller components can be placed inside larger 3D structures.
“Previously, we developed a process called freeform laser induction (FLI), which enables the fabrication of 3D electronics on curved surfaces,” says Zheng. “However, this process is limited to the exterior of pre-existing objects.
“To enhance the capabilities of FLI, we integrated two additional processes: fused filament fabrication (FFF) and direct ink writing (DIW),” explains Zheng. “This integration is the rationale behind the project’s approach. This is the first time this type of process has been used, and it’s unlocking new possibilities.”
The new production process can use various types of thermoplastic filaments, such as polycarbonate, polylactic acid, polyethylene terephthalate glycol and thermoplastic polyurethane, as structural materials. Additionally, it employs laser-induced graphene, lignin, silver, zinc oxide and other extrudable materials as functional components.
“The laser converts the structural material into functional material and converts the precursor of extruded material into functional material, such as silver nitrate into silver,” says Zheng. “FFF constructs the structural material, while DIW deposits the precursor into the predesignated locations.”
Missouri
Thousands show up to protest current administration at ‘No Kings’ rally in Kansas City, Missouri
KSHB 41 reporter Lily O’Shea Becker covers Franklin and Douglas counties in Kansas. Share your story idea with Lily.
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Thousands showed up to Mill Creek Park on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri, in a wave of protests across the country criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.
Thousands show up to protest current administration at KCMO ‘No Kings’ rally
Multiple protesters told KSHB 41 News they participated in the protest because they feel like it is the only way their voices can be heard.
Chris Morrison/KSHB
“Congress is not working for us,” said Sharon, a protester at Mill Creek Park. “I have called my Congress people numerous times.”
It was the third wave of ‘No Kings’ protests across the country since June 2025.
“I’ve been here for each of the ‘No Kings,’ and I’ll admit that I’m frustrated that I have to be back here again,” protester Carter Taylor said.
Taylor is a teacher for Kansas City Public Schools with AFT Local 691, and she said she showed up to represent her students.
“I hope that everyone here doesn’t just stay here today — that they donate to food banks, that they check in on their public schools,” Taylor said.
Will Shaw/KSHB
Protesters held signs critiquing the current administration’s stances on tariffs, ongoing wars and immigration enforcement, among other things.
Chris Morrison/KSHB
“It means that people care,” protester Lonnie Beattle said. “People care about what’s going on in this country, and people are not happy with what’s going on in the country.”
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The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 27, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 27 drawing
13-27-28-41-62, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 27 drawing
Midday: 1-2-5
Midday Wild: 5
Evening: 1-5-9
Evening Wild: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 27 drawing
Midday: 4-9-8-1
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 6-7-3-3
Evening Wild: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 27 drawing
Early Bird: 10
Morning: 10
Matinee: 03
Prime Time: 15
Night Owl: 09
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 27 drawing
08-15-18-25-29
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Missouri
Boone Health files lawsuit against Missouri Heart Center, alleging contract breaches, data misuse
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Boone Health is suing a Columbia-based cardiology group, alleging breaches of contract, misuse of confidential information and plans to engage in unlawful competition.
The lawsuit, filed in Boone County Circuit Court, targets Missouri Cardiovascular Specialists LLP, also known as the Missouri Heart Center or MO Heart, which has provided cardiology services to Boone Health for more than a decade. According to court documents, a renewed agreement was signed in 2021 covering professional services and management of Boone Health’s cardiology operations.
Boone Health alleges it paid the cardiology group millions of dollars under those agreements for staffing, administrative oversight and revenue cycle management, which included access to sensitive financial and patient-related data. In return, MO Heart and its physicians agreed to noncompete and confidentiality provisions designed to protect Boone Health’s business interests.
The health system claims MO Heart violated those agreements by preparing to launch a competing cardiology practice in the Columbia area, potentially as soon as the contracts expire on May 6, 2026. The lawsuit alleges the new venture would fall within a restricted geographic area and time frame outlined in the noncompete clause, which Boone Health argues is enforceable under Missouri law.
Boone Health also accuses MO Heart of disclosing or misusing confidential information, including billing rates, reimbursement data and strategic business details during its transition to new partnerships with outside organizations. Boone Health alleges in the lawsuit those actions could cause “severe and irreparable injury.”
In addition, Boone Health claims MO Heart obstructed access to critical systems and data. The lawsuit alleges the cardiology group cut off Boone Health’s access to a key billing and patient information platform and stopped sharing necessary data, raising concerns about continuity of patient care.
Boone Health alleged that MO Heart indicated that it intends to operate independently and has taken the position that the noncompete provisions are unenforceable, according to the filing.
Boone Health is asking a judge to rule the noncompete agreements that MO Heart signed are valid, as well as having MO Heart return or destroy confidential information, and delay starting a competing practice until May 2027.
A jury trial has been requested.
A spokesperson for Boone Health told ABC 17 News that it would provide additional details early next week.
Dr. James T. Elliott of MO Heart disagreed with allegations in the lawsuit through a written statement.
“For months, we have tried to meet with leadership team at Boone Health to work constructively towards a new, collaborative arrangement that would preserve access to and expand high‑quality care for our patients and for the entire community. Unfortunately, Boone refused to engage with us in any meaningful way. Instead, we have been met with a series of escalating legal threats, culminating in today’s filing,” the statement reads.
“Earlier today Boone Health filed a lawsuit against Missouri Heart Center. We disagree with the lawsuit’s allegations and believe those claims are both legally and factually incorrect. This litigation does not change our commitment to caring for patients.”
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