3D Printing with Microbe-Inhibiting Agents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Three-dimensional printing systems face limitations in producing functional parts with mechanical strength, dimensional accuracy, durability, and visual appearance due to the restricted range of materials available, which hinders their adoption in commercial production, especially in sectors like aviation and medicine.

Innovation Solution

The integration of microbe-inhibiting agents, such as metal bis(dithiolene) complexes and particulate build materials, into three-dimensional printing kits and systems, allowing for the creation of objects with anti-microbial properties by selectively applying fusing agents and microbe-inhibiting materials during the printing process, which inhibit microbial growth without compromising mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the range of materials used in three-dimensional printing is expanded to include microbe-inhibiting agents, then the functional properties and durability of printed parts are improved, but the device complexity and material formulation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmaterial formulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining microbe-inhibiting agents (such as metal bis(dithiolene) complexes) with conventional three-dimensional printing materials like polymers and metal powders. This creates multi-functional printed parts that simultaneously achieve mechanical strength, dimensional accuracy, and anti-microbial properties, resolving the contradiction between improved reliability and material formulation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by selectively applying microbe-inhibiting agents to specific regions of the printed part where microbial contamination is most likely to occur, rather than uniformly distributing them throughout the entire structure. This allows the anti-microbial properties to be concentrated where needed while maintaining overall structural integrity and reducing unnecessary material complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If microbe-inhibiting agents are integrated into three-dimensional printing kits, then anti-microbial properties are achieved without compromising mechanical properties, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-microbial propertiesVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating microbe-inhibiting agents into the printing material formulations before the printing process begins. The agents are pre-mixed with polymers, metal powders, or other build materials, allowing them to be automatically incorporated into the printed part during standard three-dimensional printing operations without requiring separate post-processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the microbe-inhibiting function with the structural material by integrating anti-microbial agents directly into the polymer, metal powder, or composite materials that form the printed part's structure. This combination allows the anti-microbial properties to be inherent to the part itself rather than requiring separate coatings or attachments, simplifying the overall manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the production of durable three-dimensional printed objects with controlled anti-microbial properties, effectively reducing microbial growth on specific areas, enhancing their durability and applicability in hygiene-critical applications like medical devices and wearable items.

Implementation Method 1

The electromagnetic radiation absorber absorbs radiation and converts the radiation energy to heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

converts the radiation energy to heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy conversion:

Implementation Method 3

selectively applying a fusing agent and a microbe-inhibiting agent onto the individual particulate build material layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective application:

Implementation Method 4

exposing the powder bed to energy to selectively fuse the polymer particles in contact with the electromagnetic radiation absorber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer:

Data Source

PatentUS20230398732A1Three-dimensional printing with microbe-inhibiting agents

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 PERIDOT PRINT LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure describes materials, methods, and systems for three-dimensional printing. In one example, a three-dimensional printing kit can include a fusing agent and a microbe-inhibiting agent. The fusing agent can include water and an electromagnetic radiation absorber. The electromagnetic radiation absorber can absorb radiation and convert the radiation energy to heat. The microbe-inhibiting agent can include a liquid vehicle and a metal bis(dithiolene) complex. The disclosure also describes methods of three-dimensional printing that utilize a metal-containing microbe-inhibiting material, which can be a metal bis(dithiolene) complex or other materials.