3D Printing of Tough Gels Having Tunable Elastic Modulus from the Same Pre‐Gel Solution

Abstract

A gel forming method with sections with different elastic modulus is developed. Gels with hardness distribution are formed from one base gel material by adjusting the crosslinking density of the polymer network using a 3D gel printer. It is confirmed that hardness is arranged as designed by using mixing rules of composite materials. Furthermore, as a prototype of a practical gel application, a gel finger model having a soft‐fleshy part and a hard‐bony part is printed. 3D printing of an organ model that reproduces a realistic feel that takes not only the shape of the organ but also the distribution of hardness into consideration may become possible.

Fully 3D-Printed Hydrogel Actuator for Jellyfish Soft Robots

“…3D gel printing and actuator design.-We used a light scanning type 3D gel printer for solution polymerization. [13][14][15][16] The 3D printer is capable of 3D modelling of the hydrogel by locally irradiating UV light and causing a polymerization reaction. This 3D printer was equipped with UV light laser source (Spectra-Physics, Tristar, wavelength 355 nm, maximum power 3 W), sequencer lens (OLYMPUS Corp., MPLN20X), fibre optic cable (THORLABS, SMA-SMA Fiber Patch Cable, Low OH), UV fused silica lens (diameter 6.0 mm, focal length 10 mm) and N-BK7 lens (diameter 6.0 mm, focal length 10 mm).…”

“…Our group has developed and has studied 3D hydrogel printing techniques. [13][14][15][16] The hydrogel with various shape can be easily modelled by using the 3D hydrogel printing. Previously, robots with 3D-printed electrorheological fluid valve have been developed.…”

Perspective—A Robotic Actuation System Made of Artificial Cells and Gels

“…12 My group has developed a 3D printer for hydrogels, which is a UV laser scanning type apparatus and is capable of curing the desired shapes of hydrogels. [42][43][44] We achieved 3D printing for the thermoresponsive hydrogel capsules 44 and the pneumatic gel actuator 45 using the aforementioned 3D printer. For constructing an artificial ECM, our 3D printing techniques are useful.…”

Study on performance characteristics of fused deposition modeling 3D‐printed composites by blending and lamination

“…6 This structural characteristic makes each component of the laminated composite material thoroughly exert its own performance. Saito et al 7 printed a gel finger model having two module, which were close to flesh and bone. Therefore, laminated composites can be studied as biomimetic structural materials.…”