3D-Printed Shape-Memory Bioplastic With NIR-Triggered Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for bio-sourced or protein-based materials that fulfill the requirements of stereolithographic (SLA) printing and exhibit shape memory behavior, with a viscosity suitable for SLA printing and a relatively fast rate of photocuring at a chosen wavelength.
Innovation Solution
The development of shape-restoring materials using globular proteins, such as methacrylated bovine serum albumin (MABSA), co-monomers, and light-to-heat converting nanoparticles, particularly gold nanorods, which are photocurable and suitable for SLA printing, allowing constructs to be reshaped and restored through light activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional SLA printing materials are used, then printing speed and resolution are improved, but shape memory behavior and bio-sourcing are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite resin system combining globular proteins (collagen, gelatin, or albumin) with photopolymerizable monomers (acrylates, methacrylates, or vinyl monomers) and photoinitiators. This composite material simultaneously achieves SLA printing compatibility through controlled viscosity and photocuring kinetics while exhibiting shape memory behavior through the protein component's conformational transitions upon photothermal activation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protein-based materials are used for shape memory behavior, then bio-sourcing and shape memory are improved, but printing suitability and photocuring rate are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically adjusts critical parameters including resin viscosity (optimized to 0.2-10 Pa·s for SLA tray refilling), photoinitiator concentration and wavelength specificity, monomer-to-protein ratio, and crosslink density. These parameter optimizations enable the protein-based composite to achieve both printability and shape memory functionality without compromising either aspect.
3Device complexity
If direct light activation is used for shape recovery, then simplicity is improved, but control precision and recovery speed are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces photothermal converters (nanoparticles such as gold nanorods, carbon nanotubes, or graphene) as intermediary agents that absorb light energy and convert it to thermal energy. This intermediary mechanism enables remote and selective activation of shape recovery through photothermal heating, achieving faster and more controllable recovery compared to direct photopolymerization-based activation.
4Speed
If photothermal activation is used for shape recovery, then recovery speed and control are improved, but material complexity and energy input requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates photothermal converter nanoparticles at optimized low concentrations (0.001-1% by weight) specifically at locations where shape recovery is needed. This localized approach enables selective and rapid photothermal activation only in the required regions, minimizing overall material complexity and energy requirements while maintaining high recovery speed where needed.
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 materials enable constructs to be reshaped and restored remotely within biological tissues by converting NIR light into heat, facilitating insertion and expansion of implantable devices, enhancing implantation procedures and conforming to body structures.
Implementation Method 1
The nanoparticles are configured to generate heat in response to being exposed to NIR light
Implementation Method 2
a plasmon resonance band of the nanoparticles overlaps a wavelength of the NIR light
Implementation Method 3
The thermal energy locally raises the temperature of the material above the glass transition temperature (Tg) to facilitate the shape recovery
Implementation Method 4
The thermal energy locally raises the temperature of the material above the glass transition temperature (Tg) to facilitate the shape recovery
Implementation Method 5
generating a hydrogel by exposing the resin to UV-visible light, thereby polymerizing the BSA and/or MABSA and the water-soluble co-monomer
Data Source
AI summary
Shape-restoring materials, as well as techniques for generating shape-restoring materials, are described. An example method includes generating a construct by exposing, to UV-visible light, a resin comprising a globular protein, a water-soluble co-monomer, light-to-heat converting nanoparticles, water, and a photoinitiator. At least a portion of the water is removed from the construct. The construct is converted from a first shape to a second shape by applying a force to the construct. The construct is reverted to the first shape in response to being exposed to NIR light, due to the absorption of the NIR light by the nanoparticles.