Hydrogel 3D Printing via Low-Temperature Borate Crosslinking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Three-dimensional printing technologies face limitations in material range and print accuracy, particularly when using new materials, due to the complexity of variables involved and the need to maintain desired material properties in printed objects, which restricts their application in commercial production.

Innovation Solution

The development of hydrogel three-dimensional printing kits, methods, and systems that utilize a particulate build material, crosslinking agent, and coloring agent to create colored hydrogels with a wide color gamut, allowing for precise control over the crosslinking process and material properties, enabling the production of hydrogels with desired shapes and colors at relatively low temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If high-temperature processes are used in three-dimensional printing, then material properties can be maintained, but dyes are degraded and color range is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial propertiesVSAvoiddye degradation and color range restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature processing to low-temperature crosslinking (below 100°C), which prevents dye degradation while maintaining material properties through alternative crosslinking mechanisms using borate ions and polyvinyl alcohol

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces thermal processing (heat-based material property maintenance) with chemical crosslinking (borate-ion mediated gelation), allowing color saturation without relying on high temperatures that degrade dyes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the range of materials used in three-dimensional printing is expanded, then commercial production capabilities are improved, but print accuracy and material property maintenance become difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial rangeVSAvoidprint accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material state from traditional thermoplastics to hydrogel-forming polymers (polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, alginate, chitosan), enabling new material properties while maintaining print accuracy through controlled crosslinking reactions that occur at low temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces borate ions as an intermediary crosslinking agent that mediates between the polymer chains, providing controlled crosslinking that maintains print accuracy while enabling the use of diverse hydrogel-forming materials with different properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If crosslinking is performed at high temperature, then material structure is stabilized, but color saturation and dye stability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial structureVSAvoidcolor saturation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the crosslinking temperature parameter from high to low (below 100°C), and changes the crosslinking mechanism from thermal to chemical (borate-ion mediated), achieving both material structure stabilization and color saturation simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system combining polyvinyl alcohol (or other hydrogel polymers) with borate ions and dyes, where the crosslinked hydrogel matrix stabilizes the structure while the low-temperature process preserves dye integrity and color saturation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 allows for the creation of hydrogels with vibrant, saturated colors and a wide color gamut, maintaining material properties and flexibility, while avoiding the limitations of high-temperature processes that can degrade dyes and restrict color range, thus enhancing the versatility and quality of three-dimensional printed objects.

Implementation Method 1

the water swells the polyhydroxylated swellable polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwelling:

Implementation Method 2

the crosslinker reacts with hydroxyl groups of the polyhydroxylated swellable polymer to crosslink the polyhydroxylated swellable polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12091566B2Hydrogel three-dimensional printing

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 PERIDOT PRINT LLC

AI summary

This disclosure describes hydrogel three-dimensional printing kits, methods of three-dimensional printing hydrogels, and hydrogel three-dimensional printing systems. In one example, a hydrogel three-dimensional printing kit can include a particulate build material, a crosslinking agent, a whitening agent, and a coloring agent. The particulate build material can include a polyhydroxylated swellable polymer. The crosslinking agent can include water and a crosslinker that is reactive with hydroxyl groups of the polyhydroxylated swellable polymer to crosslink the polyhydroxylated swellable polymer. The whitening agent can include water and a dispersed white pigment. The coloring agent can include water and a colorant.