Three-Dimensional-Printing of Bio-Inspired Composites

Three-dimensional printing fiber reinforced hydrogel composites.

An additive manufacturing process that combines digital modeling and 3D printing was used to prepare fiber reinforced hydrogels in a single-step process. The composite materials were fabricated by selectively pattering a combination of alginate/acrylamide gel precursor solution and an epoxy based UV-curable adhesive (Emax 904 Gel-SC) with an extrusion printer. UV irradiation was used to cure th...

Bio-inspired Ceramic/carbon Composites

Bio-inspired impact-resistant composites.

Through evolutionary processes, biological composites have been optimized to fulfil specific functions. This optimization is exemplified in the mineralized dactyl club of the smashing predator stomatopod (specifically, Odontodactylus scyllarus). This crustacean's club has been designed to withstand the thousands of high-velocity blows that it delivers to its prey. The endocuticle of this multir...

Three-dimensional bio-printing: A new frontier in oncology research

Current research in oncology deploys methods that rely principally on two-dimensional (2D) mono-cell cultures and animal models. Although these methodologies have led to significant advancement in the development of novel experimental therapeutic agents with promising anticancer activity in the laboratory, clinicians still struggle to manage cancer in the clinical setting. The disappointing tra...

Bio - inspired stretchable network - based intelligent composites

The human skin hosts an array of sensors that are capable of detecting and interpreting many traits important to how we function and survive. The goal of mimicking this capability in composites to create intelligent composite materials has led to the development of a bio-inspired stretchable network composed of numerous micro-fabricated sensors capable of detecting multiple stimuli. The compone...