3D printer for loaded photopolymers

• Subject Area: Mechanics and Constructive Mechanical Engineering
• Term: Funded in 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 442236967

The Chair of Microfluidics at the University of Rostock is concerned with the additive manufacturing of ceramics for technical and biomedical applications as well as with the stereolithographic processing of loaded photopolymers. The proposed lithographic 3D printer for processing of low and highly loaded photopolymers can remove the current restrictions in both research areas and thus form an important basis for current and future research projects. By processing highly loaded ceramic suspensions, ceramic green bodies can be printed with high precision in this process, which can then be debinded and sintered into highly dense ceramic bodies. The lithographic 3D printer applied for has mechanisms for homogenizing and stabilizing the photopolymer dispersion and can therefore process dispersions over a wide viscosity range. In addition, the exposure unit is designed for processing filled materials. The device can therefore also be used very universally for the production of composite materials or for the processing of hydrogels loaded with active pharmaceutical ingredients. In these application areas, the 3D-printed body is not sintered, but after 3D-printing, if necessary, post-treated using established post-processing methods (UV or thermal post-curing).Concrete projects focus on three thematic areas. In the first area, the device will be used for research into high-density, multifunctional, piezoelectric bio-ceramic implants. The aim is to create electrostimulative implants in which the piezoelectric effect, which also occurs in natural bone tissue, can be used for bone tissue regeneration. The second area focuses on the additive manufacturing of piezoceramic sensors and actuators for biomedical and adaptronic applications. Within the framework of material and process developments, the additive manufacturing of piezo actuators and sensors is to be investigated. By using lead-free piezoceramics, for example, piezoceramics for energy harvesting in the human body for energy supply of electrically active implants can be realized. The third area will deal with additive manufacturing with polymer-based composite materials. By loading stereolithographic resins with additives, the technical properties of the 3D-printed components can be specifically influenced or additional functionalities can be realized. Future research will focus, for example, on material and application development for drug release systems based on hydrogels.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 3D Drucker für beladene Photopolymere
• Instrumentation Group: 2270 Spezielle Bearbeitungsmaschinen für keramische Werkstoffe, Gummi, Leder
• Applicant Institution: Universität Rostock
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Hermann Seitz