Researchers have developed an oil-based "bath," or support system, that facilitates precise 3-D printing of silicon materials in a variety of shapes.

They demonstrated the capability of this method by using it to create model tracheal implants and a functional fluid pump, among other items relevant to biomedicine.

In the early 1980s, the emergence of 3-D printing led to expectations that the method would become the tool of choice for fabricating medical components from biocompatible materials like silicone.

However, to date, this possibility has not been fully realized, at least for silicone-based materials, due in part to instabilities between silicone inks and the microgel systems that support 3-D printing processes.

These microgels are meant to trap the printed material, and - under the right conditions - to become fluid enough for printing of a desired item to occur.

This works for aqueous soft materials, though printing of silicone materials has had less success; a versatile, oil-based microgel material that could be tuned to mimic aqueous microgels has been needed. Here, Christopher S. O'Bryan et al. report such a microgel, one that eliminates instabilities between printed materials and their microgel support.

Their substance contains both diblock and triblock copolymers, a combination that the authors found allows for the polymers within the microgel to expand but not lock together.

Research Report

Tweet

New 3-D printing method promises vastly superior medical implants for millions
Gainesville FL (SPX) May 17, 2017
For the millions of people every year who have or need medical devices implanted, a new advancement in 3D printing technology developed at the University of Florida promises significantly quicker implantation of devices that are stronger, less expensive, more flexible and more comfortable than anything currently available. In a paper published in the journal Science Advances, researchers l ... read more

Related Links
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only