Mask projection microstereolithography provides a means to generate a range of polymer structures with tunable surface energies and chemical functionality. Mask projection microstereolithography permits resolution at the dimension of a human cell thus suggesting the opportunity for tunable interactions of scaffolds for tissue regeneration. Our latest efforts involve a focus on the printing of soft networks using ionic liquid monomers in the presence of oligomeric crosslinking agents and photo-initiators. These charged networks offer electrostatic interactions with a range of proteins and nucleic acids. In addition, recent efforts have focused on the 3D printing of poly(ethylene oxide) containing block copolymers and biodegradable polyesters. Polyester design is easily accomplished using melt polycondensation combined with the quantitative introduction of acrylic end groups. This lecture will focus on the design of novel polymers for microstereolithography and a fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationships of the printed objects. Special attention is devoted to a fundamental understanding of the role of the layered 3D printed structure on the tensile and thermomechanical performance of the scaffolds.

3D printing functional objects with mask projection microstereolithography: Expanding the polymer toolbox

251st National Meeting (2016)

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