3D Bioplotter Research Papers

Herein, we demonstrate 3D printing of an elastomeric imidazolium polyamide-ionene which exhibits intrinsic shape-memory (SM) and self-healing (SH) character, reporting optimized printing conditions and rheological properties. This study shows the suitability of this material for 3D-printing via fused deposition modeling. The 3D-printed objects retain elasticity and SM when external force is applied, and the elastomeric character is quantified via mechanical testing. This work highlights the benefits of SH behavior as a design feature combatting inherent material weaknesses or insufficient adhesion at seams and layer junctions. DFT calculations confirmed the importance of ionic interactions and H-bonding in the SH process.

The use of three-dimensional (3D) printable hydrogels for biomedical applications has attracted considerable attention as a consequence of the ability to precisely define the morphology of the printed object, allowing patients’ needs to be targeted. However, the majority of hydrogels do not possess suitable mechanical properties to fulfill an adequate rheological profile for printability, and hence, 3D printing of cross-linked networks is challenging and normally requires postprinting modifications to obtain the desired scaffolds. In this work, we took advantage of the crystallization process of poly(ethylene glycol) to print non-isocyanate poly(hydroxyurethane) hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties. As a consequence of the…

This work reports the versatility of polydopamine (PD) when applied as a particle coating in a composite of polylactide (PLA). Polydopamine was observed to increase the particle–matrix interface strength and facilitate the adsorption of drugs to the material surface. Here, barium sulfate radiopaque particles were functionalized with polydopamine and integrated into a polylactide matrix, leading to the formulation of a biodegradable and X-ray opaque material with enhanced mechanical properties. Polydopamine functionalized barium sulfate particles also facilitated the adsorption and release of the antibiotic levofloxacin. Analysis of the antibacterial capacity of these composites and the metabolic activity and proliferation of human…

Random poly (vinyl chloride-co-butyl acrylate) and poly (vinyl chloride-co-2-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymers obtained by single electron transfer-degenerative chain transfer living radical polymerization (SET- DTLRP) are investigated as potential candidates for 3D Printing. The analysis of the rheological implications of 3D Printing process allows establishing the basic viscoelastic conditions that the samples should fulfil to be printable, avoiding the ‘trial and error’ procedure. The effect of temperature and acrylates concentration on the rheological properties and 3D printing feasibility is contemplated. Eventually, thermal degradation is also considered. It is demonstrated that the copolymers which contain butyl acrylate comonomer, instead of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, give…