Inorganic Nanoparticle Hydrogel Ink for Additive Manufacturing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing inorganic non-metallic scaffolds face challenges such as complex preparation processes, poor reproducibility, difficulty in controlling size, shape, and pore distribution, and the presence of solvent residues, which affect their application in tissue engineering and other fields.
Innovation Solution
The development of a printable inorganic non-metallic gel ink raw material formed by bioactive inorganic non-metallic particles through electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction, and magnetic force effects, allowing for the creation of high-strength 3D scaffolds using additive manufacturing technology without the need for high-temperature sintering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional stent preparation methods (pore-forming agent method, freeze-casting method, gas foaming method, organic foam impregnation method) are used, then scaffolds can be prepared, but the preparation process becomes complex and reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the ink material, specifically developing a shear-thinning ink with controlled viscosity that transitions from highly viscous at rest to low viscosity under shear stress during printing, enabling simple extrusion printing while maintaining structural integrity and reproducibility of the scaffolds
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials by formulating an ink containing inorganic non-metallic particles (40-80 wt%), binder (10-50 wt%), and plasticizer (10-30 wt%), creating a composite system that combines the advantages of different materials to achieve both ease of printing and high reproducibility of scaffold structures
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional stent preparation methods are used, then scaffolds can be prepared, but accurate control of size, shape and pore distribution becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the shear-thinning parameter change of the ink material, where viscosity decreases under shear stress during extrusion printing, allowing precise deposition of material in desired shapes and sizes, while the rapid viscosity recovery after extrusion ensures maintained structural integrity and uniform pore distribution in the printed scaffolds
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical post-processing methods with a controlled printing process using shear-thinning ink, where the material's rheological properties enable direct printing of precise geometries without requiring subsequent mechanical manipulation or complex tooling
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional stent preparation methods using solvents are used, then scaffolds can be prepared, but solvent residues remain which reduce application value
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the solvent system parameters by using water or alcohol as the solvent base and incorporating specific plasticizers that enable the ink to be printed and then completely evaporated or extracted without harmful residues, maintaining preparation simplicity while eliminating the harmful solvent residue effect
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses temporary solvent components (water or alcohol with plasticizers) that serve their function during printing and then completely evaporate or are extracted without remaining in the final scaffold, effectively using disposable solvent systems that leave no harmful traces
4Strength
If high-temperature sintering is used to process printed scaffolds, then mechanical strength is improved, but energy consumption increases and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal processing parameters by optimizing the drying and curing temperatures to lower ranges (gradual drying at room temperature or low temperature, followed by curing at 50-150°C), where the shear-thinning ink formulation and plasticizer system enable adequate mechanical strength without requiring high-temperature sintering, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining scaffold integrity
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 enables the production of scaffolds with uniform structure, adjustable macroscopic and microscopic pores, and high compressive strength up to 70 MPa, suitable for applications in tissue engineering and electronic devices, while eliminating the need for high-temperature processing.
Implementation Method 1
formed by bioactive inorganic non-metallic particles through electrostatic interaction
Implementation Method 2
formed by bioactive inorganic non-metallic particles through hydrophobic interaction
Implementation Method 3
formed by bioactive inorganic non-metallic particles through magnetic force effect
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of materials science, the field of nanomaterials, and the field of biomedical engineering, and in particular to an inorganic non-metallic nanoparticle-assembled hydrogel material and an application thereof inl additive manufacturing technology. The hydrogel material is assembled from inorganic non-metallic particles, so as to form a hydrogel network; the size of the inorganic non-metallic particles ranges from 10 nm to 20 um; the inorganic non-metallic particles account for 2-80 wt % of the total mass of hydrogel; and the hydrogel network has microscopic pores having a pore size ranging from 0.1 um to 30 um. The inorganic non-metallic particles are assembled into a hydrogel material by an electrostatic assembly method or a hydrophobic action assembly method or a magnetic action assembly method. The hydrogel material is additively manufactured to obtain a gel scaffold which is used as a bone repair scaffold or a cartilage repair scaffold. The hydrogel material of the present invention is directly applied to inorganic non-metallic additive manufacturing technology, without using an additive or a cross-linking agent.