3D-Printable Nanocellulose-Based Functional Materials: Fundamentals and Applications

Nanomaterials obtained from sustainable and natural sources have seen tremendous growth in recent times due to increasing interest in utilizing readily and widely available resources. Nanocellulose materials extracted from renewable biomasses hold great promise for increasing the sustainability of conventional materials in various applications owing to their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, ease of functionalization, and high abundance. Nanocellulose can be used to reinforce mechanical strength, impart antimicrobial activity, provide lighter, biodegradable, and more robust materials for packaging, and produce photochromic and electrochromic devices. While the fabrication and properties of nanocellulose are generally well established, their implementation in novel products and applications requires surface modification, assembly, and manufacturability to enable rapid tooling and scalable production. Additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing can improve functionality and enhance the ability to customize products while reducing fabrication time and wastage of materials. This review article provides an overview of nanocellulose as a sustainable material, covering the different properties, preparation methods, printability and strategies to functionalize nanocellulose into 3D-printed constructs. The applications of 3D-printed nanocellulose composites in food, environmental, and energy devices are outlined, and an overview of challenges and opportunities is provided.

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A Global Review on Short Peptides: Frontiers and Perspectives

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26020430 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 430

Author(s):

Vasso Apostolopoulos ◽

Joanna Bojarska ◽

Tsun-Thai Chai ◽

Sherif Elnagdy ◽

Krzysztof Kaczmarek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Interactions ◽

Targeted Delivery ◽

Swot Analysis ◽

Functional Materials ◽

Great Promise ◽

Short Peptides ◽

Altered Peptide Ligands ◽

Short Peptide ◽

Domains Of Life

Peptides are fragments of proteins that carry out biological functions. They act as signaling entities via all domains of life and interfere with protein-protein interactions, which are indispensable in bio-processes. Short peptides include fundamental molecular information for a prelude to the symphony of life. They have aroused considerable interest due to their unique features and great promise in innovative bio-therapies. This work focusing on the current state-of-the-art short peptide-based therapeutical developments is the first global review written by researchers from all continents, as a celebration of 100 years of peptide therapeutics since the commencement of insulin therapy in the 1920s. Peptide “drugs” initially played only the role of hormone analogs to balance disorders. Nowadays, they achieve numerous biomedical tasks, can cross membranes, or reach intracellular targets. The role of peptides in bio-processes can hardly be mimicked by other chemical substances. The article is divided into independent sections, which are related to either the progress in short peptide-based theranostics or the problems posing challenge to bio-medicine. In particular, the SWOT analysis of short peptides, their relevance in therapies of diverse diseases, improvements in (bio)synthesis platforms, advanced nano-supramolecular technologies, aptamers, altered peptide ligands and in silico methodologies to overcome peptide limitations, modern smart bio-functional materials, vaccines, and drug/gene-targeted delivery systems are discussed.

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Unconventional Materials Processing Using Spark Plasma Sintering

Ceramics ◽

10.3390/ceramics4010003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 20-40

Author(s):

Ambreen Nisar ◽

Cheng Zhang ◽

Benjamin Boesl ◽

Arvind Agarwal

Keyword(s):

Spark Plasma Sintering ◽

Real Life ◽

Functional Materials ◽

Research Field ◽

Advanced Materials ◽

Plasma Sintering ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Future Challenges ◽

Gas Quenching ◽

Spark Plasma

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) has gained recognition in the last 20 years for its rapid densification of hard-to-sinter conventional and advanced materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Herein, we describe the unconventional usages of the SPS technique developed in the field. The potential of various new modifications in the SPS technique, from pressureless to the integration of a novel gas quenching system to extrusion, has led to SPS’ evolution into a completely new manufacturing tool. The SPS technique’s modifications have broadened its usability from merely a densification tool to the fabrication of complex-shaped components, advanced functional materials, functionally gradient materials, interconnected materials, and porous filter materials for real-life applications. The broader application achieved by modification of the SPS technique can provide an alternative to conventional powder metallurgy methods as a scalable manufacturing process. The future challenges and opportunities in this emerging research field have also been identified and presented.

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Optimization of a 3D-Printed Permanent Magnet Coupling Using Genetic Algorithm and Taguchi Method

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics10040494 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 494

Author(s):

Ekaterina Andriushchenko ◽

Ants Kallaste ◽

Anouar Belahcen ◽

Toomas Vaimann ◽

Anton Rassõlkin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Algorithm ◽

Taguchi Method ◽

Permanent Magnet ◽

Optimization Problems ◽

Optimization Method ◽

Taguchi Optimization ◽

Torque Density ◽

Electromagnetic Devices ◽

3D Printed ◽

Manufacturing Techniques

In recent decades, the genetic algorithm (GA) has been extensively used in the design optimization of electromagnetic devices. Despite the great merits possessed by the GA, its processing procedure is highly time-consuming. On the contrary, the widely applied Taguchi optimization method is faster with comparable effectiveness in certain optimization problems. This study explores the abilities of both methods within the optimization of a permanent magnet coupling, where the optimization objectives are the minimization of coupling volume and maximization of transmitted torque. The optimal geometry of the coupling and the obtained characteristics achieved by both methods are nearly identical. The magnetic torque density is enhanced by more than 20%, while the volume is reduced by 17%. Yet, the Taguchi method is found to be more time-efficient and effective within the considered optimization problem. Thanks to the additive manufacturing techniques, the initial design and the sophisticated geometry of the Taguchi optimal designs are precisely fabricated. The performances of the coupling designs are validated using an experimental setup.

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3D Printed Chromophoric Sensors

Chemosensors ◽

10.3390/chemosensors9110317 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 317

Author(s):

Zachary Brounstein ◽

Jarrod Ronquillo ◽

Andrea Labouriau

Keyword(s):

Thermal Stability ◽

3D Printing ◽

Material Properties ◽

Chemical Structure ◽

Elevated Temperatures ◽

Advanced Manufacturing ◽

Color Changes ◽

Printed Sensors ◽

3D Printed ◽

Manufacturing Techniques

Eight chromophoric indicators are incorporated into Sylgard 184 to develop sensors that are fabricated either by traditional methods such as casting or by more advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. The sensors exhibit specific color changes when exposed to acidic species, basic species, or elevated temperatures. Additionally, material properties are investigated to assess the chemical structure, Shore A Hardness, and thermal stability. Comparisons between the casted and 3D printed sensors show that the sensing devices fabricated with the advanced manufacturing technique are more efficient because the color changes are more easily detected.

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EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION AND SIMULATION OF 3D-PRINTED LATTICE STRUCTURES

Acta Polytechnica CTU Proceedings ◽

10.14311/app.2019.25.0052 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 52-57

Author(s):

Eva Heiml ◽

Anna Kalteis ◽

Zoltan Major

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Performance ◽

Bulk Material ◽

Deformation Behaviour ◽

Lightweight Design ◽

Thermoplastic Polyurethane ◽

Selective Laser Sintering ◽

Structural Performance ◽

Lattice Structures ◽

3D Printed ◽

Manufacturing Techniques

Lattice structures are currently of high interest, especially for lightweight design. They generally have better structural performance per weight than parts made of bulk material. With conventional manufacturing techniques they are diﬃcult to produce, but with additive manufacturing (AM) fabricationisfeasible. To better understand their behaviour under various loading conditions two lattice structures in diﬀerent conﬁgurations were observed. For each structure three diﬀerent test specimens were designed and manufactured using selective laser sintering (SLS). To investigate the mechanical performance under large deformations the specimens were made of a thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU), which shows a hyperelastic material behaviour. Beside the experimental observations also ﬁnite element analyses (FEA) were conducted to investigate the deformation behaviour in more detail.

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Robust and scalable production of emulsion-templated microparticles in 3D-printed milli-fluidic device

Chemical Engineering Journal ◽

10.1016/j.cej.2021.133998 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 431 ◽

pp. 133998

Author(s):

Yoon-Ho Hwang ◽

Taewoong Um ◽

Gwang-Noh Ahn ◽

Dong-Pyo Kim ◽

Hyomin Lee

Keyword(s):

Fluidic Device ◽

3D Printed ◽

Scalable Production

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The Effects of Additive Manufacturing and Electric Poling Techniques on PVdF Thin Films: Towards 3D Printed Functional Materials

ASME 2020 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems ◽

10.1115/smasis2020-2245 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jinsheng Fan ◽

David Gonzalez ◽

Jose Garcia ◽

Brittany Newell ◽

Robert A. Nawrocki

Keyword(s):

Thin Films ◽

Smart Materials ◽

Vinylidene Fluoride ◽

Pressure Sensors ◽

Functional Materials ◽

Piezoelectric Constant ◽

Β Phase ◽

Calibration Curves ◽

Wide Range ◽

3D Printed

Abstract Mechanical flexibility, faster processing, lower fabrication cost and biocompatibility enable poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) to have a wide range of applications. This work investigated the use of a piezoelectric polymeric material, PVdF, in combination with 3D printing, to explore new strategies for the fabrication of smart materials with embedded functions, namely sensing. The motivation behind this research was to design and fabricate PVdF thin films that will be used to build pressure sensors with applications in active intelligent structures. In this work, 3D printed PVdF thin films with thickness values in the range of 250 to 350 μm were poled under high direct current electrical fields, which were varied from 0.4 to 12 MV/m and temperatures from 80 to 140 °C. Copper electrodes were applied, forming a standard capacitor layered structure, to facilitate poling and to collect piezoelectric output voltage. The poling process enabled the piezoelectric crystalline phase transition of printed PVdF films to transfer from the non-active a α-phase to the piezoelectric active β-phase and rearranged the dipole alignments of the β-phase. The efficiency of poling was evaluated through the piezoelectric constant calculated from measured calibration curves. These calibration curves demonstrated the PVdF sensing device have a positive linear correlation between mechanical input and voltage output. We found that a peak value in piezoelectric constant correlated with poling voltages and temperatures. The highest piezoelectric constant achieved through contact poling was 32.29 pC/N poled at 750 V and 120 °C, and temperature was deemed the most important factors to influence piezoelectric constant. We believe that the present work demonstrates a path towards fully 3D printed smart, functional materials.

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A Review on the Biocompatibility of PMMA-Based Dental Materials for Interim Prosthetic Restorations with a Glimpse into Their Modern Manufacturing Techniques

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma13132894 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 2894 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Silviu Mirel Pituru ◽

Maria Greabu ◽

Alexandra Totan ◽

Marina Imre ◽

Mihaela Pantea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dental Materials ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Oral Epithelial Cells ◽

Prosthetic Materials ◽

Oral Environment ◽

Pulp Cells ◽

3D Printed ◽

Manufacturing Techniques ◽

Materials Used ◽

Oral Epithelial

This paper’s primary aim is to outline relevant aspects regarding the biocompatibility of PMMA (poly(methyl methacrylate))-based materials used for obtaining interim prosthetic restorations, such as the interaction with oral epithelial cells, fibroblasts or dental pulp cells, the salivary oxidative stress response, and monomer release. Additionally, the oral environment’s biochemical response to modern interim dental materials containing PMMA (obtained via subtractive or additive methods) is highlighted in this review. The studies included in this paper confirmed that PMMA-based materials interact in a complex way with the oral environment, and therefore, different concerns about the possible adverse oral effects caused by these materials were analyzed. Adjacent to these aspects, the present work describes several advantages of PMMA-based dental materials. Moreover, the paper underlines that recent scientific studies ascertain that the modern techniques used for obtaining interim prosthetic materials, milled PMMA, and 3D (three-dimensional) printed resins, have distinctive advantages compared to the conventional ones. However, considering the limited number of studies focusing on the chemical composition and biocompatibility of these modern interim prosthetic materials, especially for the 3D printed ones, more aspects regarding their interaction with the oral environment need to be further investigated.

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Al-Based Nano-Sized Composite Energetic Materials (Nano-CEMs): Preparation, Characterization, and Performance

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano10061039 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1039 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Weiqiang Pang ◽

Xuezhong Fan ◽

Ke Wang ◽

Yimin Chao ◽

Huixiang Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energetic Materials ◽

Recent Progress ◽

Functional Materials ◽

Research Field ◽

Preparation Methods ◽

Existing Problems ◽

And Performance ◽

Future Work ◽

Application Prospects

As one of the new types of functional materials, nano-sized composite energetic materials (nano-CEMs) possess many advantages and broad application prospects in the research field of explosives and propellants. The recent progress in the preparation and performance characterization of Al-based nano-CEMs has been reviewed. The preparation methods and properties of Al-based nano-CEMs are emphatically analyzed. Special emphasis is focused on the improved performances of Al-based nano-CEMs, which are different from those of conventional micro-sized composite energetic materials (micro-CEMs), such as thermal decomposition and hazardous properties. The existing problems and challenges for the future work on Al-based nano-CEMs are discussed.

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Carbon Nanotubes-Assisted Fabrication of TiO2 Nanocomposite Film for Optimum Electrochromic Application

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.989-994.789 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 989-994 ◽

pp. 789-792

Author(s):

Shu Ping Liu ◽

Wei Wang ◽

Lin Lin Cui ◽

Hua Nan Guan

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Self Assembly ◽

Multilayer Film ◽

Great Promise ◽

Layer By Layer ◽

Electrochromic Devices ◽

Optical Contrast ◽

Coloration Efficiency ◽

Assembly Method

Electrochromic composite film consisting of TiO2, chitosan (CS) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated on quartz and FTO substrates by the layer-by-layer self-assembly method (LbL). The multilayer film was characterized by UV-vis spectrum, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometric (CA) and in situ spectral electrochemicalmeasurements. The composite material shows high electrochromic performance, with the optical contrast of 11.5% and coloration efficiency of 21.7 cm2/C at 800 nm. The results indicate great promise for the TiO2-based film as a potential material in electrochromic devices.

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