Pectin, a natural biopolymer mainly derived from citrus fruits and apple peels, shows excellent biodegradable and biocompatible properties. This study investigated the electrospinning of pectin-based nanofibers. The parameters, pectin:PEO (polyethylene oxide) ratio, surfactant concentration, voltage, and flow rate, were studied to optimize the electrospinning process for generating the pectin-based nanofibers. Oligochitosan, as a novel and nonionic cross-liker of pectin, was also researched. Nanofibers were characterized by using AFM, SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed that oligochitosan was preferred over Ca 2+ because it cross-linked pectin molecules without negatively affecting the nanofiber morphology. Moreover, oligochitosan treatment produced a positive surface charge of nanofibers, determined by zeta potential measurement, which is desired for tissue engineering applications.
Purpose: Bioprinting is an alternative method for constructing tissues/organs for transplantation. This study investigated the cross-linker influence and post-printing modification using oligochitosan and chitosan for stability improvement. Methods: Oligochitosan was tested as a novel cross-linker to replace Ca 2+ for pectin-based bio-ink. Oligochitosan (2 kD) and different molecular weight of chitosan were used to modify the bioprinted scaffold. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the scaffolds. Results: Oligochitosan failed to serve as a viable cross-linker. Successful post-printing modification was confirmed by FTIR and SEM analyses. Conclusion: Regarding post-modification, chitosan-treated scaffolds showed enhanced stability compared to untreated scaffolds. In particular, scaffolds modified with 150 kD chitosan exhibited the highest stability.
Greatbatch Medical, specializing in orthopedic implants and instruments, is currently utilizing direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technology to develop concept prototypes. Greatbatch uses EOS GP1 Stainless Steel which adheres to the American standard for 17-4 Precipitation Hardened SS. Following DMLS, Greatbatch heat treats its parts to obtain desirable mechanical properties. In this study, three different heat treatment methods were examined: heat treatment and stress relief (HT+SR), stress relief (SR), and solution aging and annealing (SAA). The Vickers Hardness Test and the Tensile Strength Test were used to assess the mechanical properties of each sample. The research also included grain structure analysis using a Scanning Electron Microscope and surface roughness studies via profilometer measurements. For example, the HT+SR sample yielded 456 HV (hardness), an ultimate tensile strength of 1319 MPa, an yield strength of 1120 MPa, and 6.36% elongation. It was found that compared to the untreated sample, HT+SR decreased the total elongation by 73% and SAA decreased total elongation by 17% and additionally decreased hardness by 17%. It was learnt that stress relieving the part after DMLS was the superior method of choice based on its resulting mechanical properties. It was found that the grain structure of the non-treated sample resembled a solution treated sample and the stress-relieved sample actually matched an age-hardened sample. The sample that was precipitation hardened was actually over-aged. Thus it was found that the DMLS process seemed to be acting as an aging process while simultaneously building the part. Further studies in examining specific effects of DMLS and how it impacts what order heat treatments should follow would be appropriate.
The purpose of this paper is to understand and research literature on the “continuous liquid interface production (CLIP)” of 3D objects to address the current challenges. This proprietary technology was originally owned by EiPi Systems but is now being developed by Carbon 3D. Unlike conventional rapid prototyping of printing layer-by-layer to print 3D objects, CLIP is achieved with an oxygen-permeable window made of proprietary glass membrane and the ultraviolet image projection plane below it, which allows the continuous liquid interface to produce 3D objects where photo-polymerization is restricted between the window and the polymerizing part. This process eliminates the time requirement in between the layers resulting in the faster production of 3D objects with a resolution less than 100 microns. It is a known factor that the “supports” play a vital role in any liquid based 3D printing techniques and this does not change in CLIP. In addition to the parameters of support structure like shape, size, strength, ease of removability, surface finish after removal of supports etc, CLIP needs to deal with different types of materials. The support structure needs to be designed according to the respective material’s properties. There are two broad categories of the materials available from Carbon 3D, prototyping resins, and engineering resins. While the prototyping resin is used for the cosmetic models and the engineering resins are used for the practical applications. There are 6 types of engineering resins developed for the end user; of these, EPU and CE are more challenging to work with. EPU parts needs more supports and careful handling till the completion of post processing as the material is soft. CE parts are fragile and needs more systematic handling to complete the successful production. Although printing parts of EPU and CE is more time consuming when compared to the normal CLIP process, they are worth for their unmatched industrial applications. None of the existing 3D printing technologies offers this quality. The support structure, orientation and pot life are the influencing parameters for all resins. In this study, it is statistically proven that by optimizing the part orientation with respect to the slicing of each layer and customized supports; parts are built way better than before. The part orientation is optimized by ensuring each layer is supporting the subsequent layer and minimizing the islands. It is noticed that the results are always better by tilting the part 5 to 10 degrees in both X and Y axis in the build setup and this applies for most of the straight geometrical parts. For parts of specific geometry which can create a vacuum while pulling up the part needs to be oriented in a different way or create a re-closable air passage that can prevent the vacuum being created.
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