Design and processing of advanced materials for extrusion-based additive manufacturing
3D printing is best known for making objects from plastic or metal. But scientists are now working on a far more challenging task: printing soft materials that could one day help repair or replace human tissues. To achieve this, we need printable materials, so called “inks”, that not only print well but also have extra functions—such as adjustable strength, sensitivity to their surroundings, and stability after printing. In his thesis, Armin Amirsadeghi explores new ways to design such smart materials.
Amirsadeghi presents four different strategies. In the first, he investigates a soft and elastic plastic that can better mimic the properties of natural tissues. In the second, Amirsadeghi created mixtures of natural polymers that respond to their environment and can be stabilized after printing. The third approach used tiny gel particles that lock together once printed, giving the structures extra strength. Finally, inspiration was taken from spider silk: by borrowing some of its unique building blocks, Amirsadeghi developed new inks that became stronger and easier to print.
Together, these studies show how careful material design and inspiration from nature can lead to inks that are not only printable but also adaptable and robust. This brings us closer to the vision of creating complex, functional tissues and medical implants with a 3D printer.