Click-Chemistry Resin for Functional 3D Printed Structures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photo-activation-based additive manufacturing techniques produce inert plastic structures lacking chemically- and biologically-relevant functionality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporate click-chemistry compatible functional groups into additive manufacturing resins by reacting compounds with terminal alkyne or azide groups with protecting reagents to form protected reactive diluents, which are then mixed with photo polymerizable compounds to create structures functionalizable via click chemistry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If photo-activation-based additive manufacturing techniques are used to create structures, then manufacturing precision and structural control are improved, but the structures lack chemically- and biologically-relevant functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural controlVSAvoidchemical functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines photo-polymerizable compounds with click-chemistry compatible compounds to create a composite resin material. This composite enables both precise photo-activation-based manufacturing and subsequent click-chemistry functionalization, resolving the contradiction between structural precision and chemical versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates click-chemistry compatible functional groups into the resin before manufacturing. This preliminary incorporation allows the structures to be manufactured with precise control first, then functionalized afterward through click-chemistry reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If click-chemistry compatible functional groups are incorporated into the resin, then chemical and biological functionality is improved, but the resin formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical functionalityVSAvoidresin formulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the photo-polymerizable compound and click-chemistry compatible compound into a single resin formulation. This combination allows both functionalities to coexist without requiring separate processing steps or complex multi-component systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If terminal alkyne or azide groups are reacted with protecting reagents to form protected reactive diluents, then click-chemistry compatibility is improved, but the number of manufacturing steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclick-chemistry compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The protecting groups are attached to the terminal alkyne or azide groups in advance during resin formulation. This preliminary protection prevents premature reactions and allows the resin to be stored and handled before manufacturing, consolidating multiple steps into one

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables the production of chemically and biologically relevant structures with precise control, allowing for further surface functionalization and additional capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

exposing one or more portions of an additive manufacturing resin to light; where the light includes a wavelength configured to cause a photo polymerizable compound in the additive manufacturing resin to polymerize

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS12487521B2Click-chemistry compatible structures, click-chemistry functionalized structures, and materials and methods for making the same

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NAT SECURITY LLC

AI summary

According to one exemplary embodiment, a method includes exposing one or more portions of an additive manufacturing resin to light; where the light includes a wavelength configured to cause a photo polymerizable compound in the additive manufacturing resin to polymerize; and the one or more portions of the additive manufacturing resin are defined by a three-dimensional pattern. Moreover, a method of forming an additive manufacturing resin suitable for fabricating a click-chemistry compatible composition of matter includes: reacting a compound comprising a terminal alkyne group or a terminal azide group with a protecting reagent to form a protected reactive diluent precursor, reacting the precursor with a second compound to form a protected reactive diluent; and mixing the protected reactive diluent with a photo polymerizable compound.