Water-Soluble Polyurethane for 3D Printing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing water-soluble articles from polymeric materials face challenges such as lack of dimensional stability, inability to control dissolution rates, and compatibility with temperature-sensitive benefit agents.

Innovation Solution

Development of a water-soluble polyurethane material derived from polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene glycol polymer, and polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene, combined with 1,1'-Carbonyldiimidazole and a specific polyamine, which allows for voxel-by-voxel manufacturing of three-dimensional objects while maintaining dimensional stability and solubility in an aqueous environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If water-soluble polymeric materials are used to manufacture articles, then the articles can be dissolved in an aqueous environment, but the materials lack dimensional stability required for voxel-by-voxel manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater solubilityVSAvoiddimensional stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite polymeric material system consisting of polyurethane base polymer combined with specific plasticizers and crosslinking agents. This composite formulation provides both the water solubility needed for advanced utility and the dimensional stability required for voxel-by-voxel manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the polymeric material parameters by controlling molecular weight, composition ratios, and processing temperatures to achieve optimal balance between solubility and dimensional stability. By adjusting these parameters, the material maintains structural integrity during manufacturing while remaining soluble in aqueous environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the manufacturing process uses temperatures above the boiling points of carrier solvents, then processing efficiency improves, but temperature-sensitive benefit agents lose their utility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidbenefit agent utility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the processing temperature parameter to occur at or below the boiling points of carrier solvents such as water and alcohol. This parameter modification enables the manufacturing process to proceed efficiently while preserving the utility of temperature-sensitive benefit agents incorporated into the polymeric material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional polymeric materials are used for voxel-by-voxel manufacturing, then dimensional stability is achieved, but the ability to control dissolution rates is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoiddissolution rate control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls dissolution rate by adjusting polymeric material parameters including molecular weight, composition ratios, and crystallinity through processing conditions. These parameter modifications enable precise control over dissolution rates while maintaining dimensional stability during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite polymeric material system with controlled composition and structure that provides both dimensional stability for manufacturing and controllable dissolution characteristics for advanced utility, resolving the contradiction between stability and dissolution control.

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

The solution enables the creation of dimensionally stable, water-soluble three-dimensional objects that can be manufactured at temperatures preserving the utility of temperature-sensitive benefit agents, and can be dissolved in an aqueous environment, thereby achieving advanced utility.

Implementation Method 1

water-soluble polyurethane derived from: polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene glycol polymer, polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3773518B1Polymeric materials and articles manufactured there from

Publication Date: 2025.03.05 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A water-soluble polyurethane derived from: polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene glycol polymer, polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene glycol- block-polypropylene and mixtures thereof, l,l'-Carbonyldiimidazole, polyamine and mixtures thereof. A method for manufacturing a three- dimensional object, the method comprising steps of providing a digital description of the object as a set of voxels; and sequentially creating an actual set of voxels corresponding to the digital set of voxels; wherein at least one voxel comprises a water-soluble polyurethane.