Nonionic 3D Printing Support Composition for Salt-Stable Viscosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D bioprinting supports using anionic microgel particles derived from methacrylic acid suffer from insufficient salt tolerance, leading to charge shielding and reduced viscosity, which affects shape maintainability and the ability of components like calcium ions to reach cells, and ink curing is challenging.

Innovation Solution

A composition for 3D printing and cell culture support comprising a polymer with specific structural units and an aqueous medium, designed to maintain viscosity and enhance salt tolerance, including components that facilitate cell culture and printing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If anionic microgel particles derived from methacrylic acid are used as support, then shape maintainability is improved, but salt tolerance deteriorates causing charge shielding and viscosity reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape maintainabilityVSAvoidsalt tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the polymer from anionic (methacrylic acid-derived) to nonionic (N-vinylformamide-derived), eliminating charge-based interactions with salts. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining shape maintainability through hydrogen bonding and dipole interactions while achieving salt tolerance by removing electrostatic charge that causes shielding effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polymer structure combining N-vinylformamide units with other compatible monomers to achieve both shape maintainability and salt tolerance. The composite approach allows the material to leverage multiple interaction mechanisms (hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions) that are insensitive to salt concentration, resolving the contradiction between shape stability and salt tolerance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If anionic microgel particles are used as support, then viscosity is improved for shape maintainability, but component penetration to cells deteriorates due to charge shielding

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoidcomponent penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the charge parameter from anionic to nonionic, eliminating the electrostatic barrier that prevents component penetration. The nonionic N-vinylformamide polymer maintains appropriate viscosity through neutral interactions, allowing diffusion of calcium ions and other culture components to cells without charge-based repulsion or shielding effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If anionic microgel particles are used as support, then shape maintainability is improved, but ink curing deteriorates due to interference with calcium ion crosslinking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape maintainabilityVSAvoidink curing

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the functional group parameter from carboxylic acid (anionic) to formamide (nonionic), which does not interfere with calcium ion crosslinking chemistry. The nonionic formamide groups maintain shape stability through neutral interactions while allowing calcium-based crosslinking to proceed efficiently for ink curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition exhibits excellent salt tolerance, maintaining viscosity and enabling effective 3D printing and cell culture support, ensuring components reach cells and supporting the formation of complex biological structures.

Implementation Method 1

The polymer having a structural unit represented by Formula (1)... R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

N-vinylformamide structural unit... C=O group and N-H group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDipole-dipole interaction:

Implementation Method 3

3D bioprinting is performed using a support (support exhibiting Bingham plastic behavior) that exhibits a liquid-like behavior at the time of stress application (at the time of drawing) and exhibits a solid-like behavior when no stress is applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBingham plastic behavior:

Implementation Method 4

it found that the support described in Patent Literature 2 has insufficient salt tolerance, and when a salt or ions are added, charge shielding or chelation occurs... The composition... is excellent in salt tolerance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCharge shielding prevention:

Implementation Method 5

when a salt or ions are added, charge shielding or chelation occurs, resulting in lowering the viscosity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChelation prevention:

Implementation Method 6

when the support is used as a 3D cell culture support, it is difficult for components necessary for culture, such as calcium ions, to reach the cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20260015577A1Composition for 3D printing support or 3D cell culture support

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 JSR CORPORATION

AI summary

A composition may be useful for a 3D printing support or a 3D cell culture support and be excellent in salt tolerance, including a (A) a polymer having a structural unit of formula (1)R1 and R2 independently being a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R1 and R2 together optionally forming a ring structure having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and (B) an aqueous medium.