Nanogel 3D Printing Resin for Stronger Layer Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D printing technologies face issues such as anisotropy in mechanical properties, volumetric shrinkage, and distortion due to monomer and radical species diffusion across interfaces, leading to poor layer adhesion and structural integrity in printed objects.

Innovation Solution

A photoinitiated polymerizable composition comprising 40 to 90 wt% nanogel particles with specific properties, including a copolymer of monovinyl and divinyl monomers, chain transfer agents, and reactive groups, is used to control polymerization and reduce constituent migration, enhancing layer adhesion and structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional materials (polymers, metals, ceramics) are used for 3D printing, then manufacturing capability is achieved, but functional complexity and biological activity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional complexityVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining polymeric nanogel particles with conventional 3D printing materials. The nanogel particles serve as functional additives that provide biological activity and enhanced functionality while maintaining compatibility with standard printing processes. This allows conventional printing equipment to produce materials with advanced functional properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the functional parameters of conventional printing materials by incorporating nanogel particles with specific properties (size, composition, functional groups). This transforms ordinary polymers into bioactive materials without fundamentally changing the printing process, thereby improving functionality while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If nanogel particles are incorporated into printing materials, then biological activity and functionality are enhanced, but material formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiological activityVSAvoidmaterial formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the nanogel particles as intermediary components that bridge conventional printing materials and biological functionality. These particles act as carriers for bioactive molecules and provide structural frameworks that enable biological activity while integrating smoothly into the printing material matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the functional requirements into separate nanogel particle components, each designed to perform specific functions (structural support, bioactivity delivery, degradation). This modular approach allows independent optimization of each function while simplifying the overall material formulation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If polymeric nanogel particles are used, then porosity and surface area are increased for drug delivery, but control over particle size and distribution becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug loading capacityVSAvoidparticle size control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls particle size and distribution by carefully adjusting synthesis parameters such as monomer concentration, crosslinking conditions, and polymerization time. These parameter changes enable precise control over nanogel dimensions (50-500 nm) and polydispersity, ensuring uniform particle characteristics for reliable drug delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical size separation methods with chemical and physical control during the nanogel synthesis process. By controlling the chemical synthesis conditions and using controlled polymerization techniques, the patent achieves narrow size distributions without requiring complex mechanical sorting equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The method improves the mechanical properties and layer adhesion of 3D printed objects by reducing distortion and anisotropy, resulting in smoother surfaces and improved structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The polymeric nanogel particles can be used to deliver drugs or other substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The invention relates to polymeric nanogel particles and methods of making the particles. The particles can serve as a delivery vehicle for drugs or other substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3685231B13D printing with polymeric nanogel particles
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
  • EP3685231B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3685231B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3685231B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A photoinitiated polymerizable composition for 3D printing, the polymerizable composition comprising a nanogel component that comprises nanogel particles, wherein the nanogel particles comprise a copolymer with polymerizable reactive groups suitable for reacting with each other or a reactive diluent monomer, a reactive oligomer, a resin, or a combination thereof that is present in the polymerizable composition upon photoinitiation, wherein the nanogel component has a glass transition temperature that is in a range of about -50 C and about 20 C and an average molecular weight that is in a range of about 10 kg/mol and about 100 kg/mol, and wherein the nanoparticles have an average hydrodynamic radius that is in a range of 1 nm to about 5 nm.