Pandemic-Driven Development of a Medical-Grade,Economic and Decentralized Applicable Polyolefin Filament for Additive Fused Filament Fabrication

A polyolefin with certified biocompatibility according to USP class VI was used by our group as feedstock for filament-based 3D printing to meet the highest medical standards in order to print personal protective equipment for our university hospital during the ongoing pandemic. Besides the chemical resistance and durability, as well as the ability to withstand steam sterilization, this polypropylene (PP) copolymer is characterized by its high purity, as achieved by highly efficient and selective catalytic polymerization. As the PP copolymer is suited to be printed with all common printers in fused filament fabrication (FFF), it offers an eco-friendly cost–benefit ratio, even for large-scale production. In addition, a digital workflow was established focusing on common desktop FFF printers in the medical sector. It comprises the simulation-based optimization of personalized print objects, considering the inherent material properties such as warping tendency, through to validation of the process chain by 3D scanning, sterilization, and biocompatibility analysis of the printed part. This combination of digital data processing and 3D printing with a sustainable and medically certified material showed great promise in establishing decentralized additive manufacturing in everyday hospital life to meet peaks in demand, supply bottlenecks, and enhanced personalized patient treatment.     

Polycaprolactone solution–based ink for designing microfluidic channels on paper via 3D printing platform for biosensing application

This work reports a novel fabrication technique for development of channels on paper‐based microfluidic devices using the syringe module of a 3D printing syringe–based system. In this study, printing using polycaprolactone (PCL)‐based ink (Mw 70 000‐90 000) was employed for the generation of functional hydrophobic barriers on Whatman qualitative filter paper grade 1 (approximate thickness of 180 μm and pore diameter of 11 μm), which would effectively channelize fluid flow to multiple assay zones dedicated for different analyte detection on a microfluidic paper‐based analytical device (μPAD). The standardization studies reveal that a functional hydrophilic channel for sample conduction fabricated using the reported technique can be as narrow as 460.7 ± 20 μm and a functional hydrophobic barrier can be of any width with a lower limit of about 982.2 ± 142.75 μm when a minimum number of two layers of the ink is extruded onto paper. A comparison with the hydrodynamic model established for writing with ink is used to explain the width of the line printed by this system. A fluid flow analysis through a single channel system was also carried out to establish its conformity with the Washburn model, which governs the fluid flow in two‐dimensional μPAD. The presented fabrication technique proves to be a robust strategy that effectively taps the advantages of this 3D printing technique in the production of μPADs with enhanced speed and reproducibility.     

The effect of 3D printing on the morphological and mechanical properties of polycaprolactone filament and scaffold

Three‐dimensional (3D) printing becomes an attractive technique to fabricate tissue engineering scaffolds through its high control on fabrication and repeatability using the printing parameters. This technique can be combined by the finite element method (FEM), and tissue‐specific scaffolds with desirable morphological and mechanical properties can be designed and manufactured. In this study, the influential 3D printing parameters on the morphological and mechanical properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) filament and scaffold were studied experimentally and numerically. First, the effects of printing parameters and process on the properties of extruded PCL filament were investigated. Then, using FEM, the effects of filament specifications on the overall characteristics of the scaffold were evaluated. Results showed that both the printing process in terms of resting time and remaining time and the printing parameters like pressure, printing speed, and printing path length have influenced the filament properties. In addition, both the filament diameter and elastic modulus had significant effects on the properties of scaffold especially, a 20% increase in the filament diameter caused the scaffold compressive elastic modulus to rise by around 72%. It is concluded that the printing parameters and process must be tuned very well in fabricating scaffolds with the desired morphology and mechanical property.     

Evaluation of 3D Printed Gelatin‐Based Scaffolds with Varying Pore Size for MSC‐Based Adipose Tissue Engineering

Adipose tissue engineering aims to provide solutions to patients who require tissue reconstruction following mastectomies or other soft tissue trauma. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) robustly differentiate into the adipogenic lineage and are attractive candidates for adipose tissue engineering. This work investigates whether pore size modulates adipogenic differentiation of MSCs toward identifying optimal scaffold pore size and whether pore size modulates spatial infiltration of adipogenically differentiated cells. To assess this, extrusion‐based 3D printing is used to fabricate photo‐crosslinkable gelatin‐based scaffolds with pore sizes in the range of 200–600 µm. The adipogenic differentiation of MSCs seeded onto these scaffolds is evaluated and robust lipid droplet formation is observed across all scaffold groups as early as after day 6 of culture. Expression of adipogenic genes on scaffolds increases significantly over time, compared to TCP controls. Furthermore, it is found that the spatial distribution of cells is dependent on the scaffold pore size, with larger pores leading to a more uniform spatial distribution of adipogenically differentiated cells. Overall, these data provide first insights into the role of scaffold pore size on MSC‐based adipogenic differentiation and contribute toward the rational design of biomaterials for adipose tissue engineering in 3D volumetric spaces.     

Three‐Dimensional Cuprous Lead Bromide Framework with Highly Efficient and Stable Blue Photoluminescence Emission

Considering the instability and low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of blue‐emitting perovskites, it is still challenging and attractive to construct single crystalline hybrid lead halides with highly stable and efficient blue light emission. Herein, by rationally introducing d¹⁰ transition metal into single lead halide as new structural building unit and optical emitting center, we prepared a bimetallic halide of [(NH₄)₂]CuPbBr₅ with new type of three‐dimensional (3D) anionic framework. [(NH₄)₂]CuPbBr₅ exhibits strong band‐edge blue emission (441 nm) with a high PLQY of 32 % upon excitation with UV light. Detailed photophysical studies indicate [(NH₄)₂]CuPbBr₅ also displays broadband red light emissions derived from self‐trapped states. Furthermore, the 3D framework features high structural and optical stabilities at extreme environments during at least three years. To our best knowledge, this work represents the first 3D non‐perovskite bimetallic halide with highly efficient and stable blue light emission.     

Non‐Lithography Hydrodynamic Printing of Micro/Nanostructures on Curved Surfaces

A key issue of micro/nano devices is how to integrate micro/nanostructures with specified chemical components onto various curved surfaces. Hydrodynamic printing of micro/nanostructures on three‐dimensional curved surfaces is achieved with a strategy that combines template‐induced hydrodynamic printing and self‐assembly of nanoparticles (NPs). Non‐lithography flexible wall‐shaped templates are replicated with microscale features by dicing a trench‐shaped silicon wafer. Arising from the capillary pumped function between the template and curved substrates, NPs in the colloidal suspension self‐assemble into close‐packed micro/nanostructures without a gravity effect. Theoretical analysis with the lattice Boltzmann model reveals the fundamental principles of the hydrodynamic assembly process. Spiral linear structures achieved by two kinds of fluorescent NPs show non‐interfering photoluminescence properties, while the waveguide and photoluminescence are confirmed in 3D curved space. The printed multiconstituent micro/nanostructures with single‐NP resolution may serve as a general platform for optoelectronics beyond flat surfaces.     

小波变换轮廓术的测量范围研究

利用小波“脊”处的小波系数来提取变形条纹中的相位信息可以在很大程度上抑制条纹图中有用的基频分量与零频和其它谐波频率分量的混叠,弥补了傅里叶变换轮廓术的不足。从离散信号频域分析角度,推导了变形条纹小波变换的频谱描述形式,讨论了其测量范围,包括结构条件和抽样条件。结果表明,只有在无周期内瞬时频谱混叠,即任意位置处物体瞬时高度变化满足h/xx=b<1/3条件时,和不存在抽样引起的周期间瞬时频谱混叠的抽样条件下(即一个周期内的抽样点数m≥4时),小波变换轮廓术才能正确恢复被测物体的三维面型。计算机模拟和实验验证了该结论。     

基于三维简并四波混频的PDT光敏剂HA瞬态光栅特性研究

竹红菌甲素(hypocrellin A,HA)具有丰富的激发态特性,有可能在新型光动力疗法(PDT)光敏剂、激光染料和新型光电器件方面有一定的应用前景。利用瞬态光栅技术研究了竹红菌甲素分别在不同极性和粘度溶剂中以及溶剂本身的瞬态光栅特性,把其瞬态光栅的超快过程归结为竹红菌甲素质子转移形成的过渡态TS*的衰减,得出过渡态TS*瞬态光栅的寿命为10.5 ps。竹红菌甲素分子的质子转移过渡态TS*瞬态光栅寿命不受溶剂极性和粘度的影响。     

电喷印刷柔性传感器

柔性传感器因其在弯折、扭曲、拉伸等大变形条件下具有稳定的传感性能,所以在软体机器人、可穿戴电子和生物医疗等领域具有潜在的应用前景,受到了国内外研究者的广泛关注。与传统光刻技术相比,印刷技术制造作为增材制造,具有绿色、低成本和可大面积制造的优势,被广泛应用于柔性电子器件制备。其中,电流体动力喷墨打印(电喷印)技术因其具有多种功能材料的兼容性,被认为最有可能替代传统的光刻技术,实现柔性传感器高分辨率和跨规模制造。近年来,电喷印技术在微型化柔性传感器制造领域显示出广泛的应用潜力。本综述重点介绍了电喷印刷柔性传感器的工艺、材料和应用的最新研究进展。首先,详细介绍了电流体动力喷墨打印技术的工作原理,总结了用于电喷印的各种功能性墨水材料,然后,介绍了电喷印刷中墨水和柔性基底间表界面调控的问题。随后,综述了电喷印方法在柔性压力传感器、柔性气体传感器和柔性电化学传感器等柔性传感器制造的应用进展。最后,总结讨论了下一代电喷印刷技术在柔性传感器领域的机遇与挑战。     

Chitosan and Whey Protein Bio-Inks for 3D and 4D Printing Applications with Particular Focus on Food Industry

The application of chitosan (CS) and whey protein (WP) alone or in combination in 3D/4D printing has been well considered in previous studies. Although several excellent reviews on additive manufacturing discussed the properties and biomedical applications of CS and WP, there is a lack of a systemic review about CS and WP bio-inks for 3D/4D printing applications. Easily modified bio-ink with optimal printability is a key for additive manufacturing. CS, WP, and WP–CS complex hydrogel possess great potential in making bio-ink that can be broadly used for future 3D/4D printing, because CS is a functional polysaccharide with good biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity, and non-carcinogenicity, while CS–WP complex hydrogel has better printability and drug-delivery effectivity than WP hydrogel. The review summarizes the current advances of bio-ink preparation employing CS and/or WP to satisfy the requirements of 3D/4D printing and post-treatment of materials. The applications of CS/WP bio-ink mainly focus on 3D food printing with a few applications in cosmetics. The review also highlights the trends of CS/WP bio-inks as potential candidates in 4D printing. Some promising strategies for developing novel bio-inks based on CS and/or WP are introduced, aiming to provide new insights into the value-added development and commercial CS and WP utilization.