Photopolymers for rapid prototyping

• Published in: JCT research Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 505 - 510
• Main Authors: LISKA, R, SCHUSTER, M, LICHTENEGGER, H, STAMPFL, J, INFÜHR, R, TURECEK, C, FRITSCHER, C, SEIDL, B, SCHMIDT, V, KUNA, L, HAASE, A, VARGA, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.12.2007; American Coatings Association, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Machinery and processing; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Plastics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Biological properties; Cell structure; Tissue engineering; Bifunctional compound; Stereolithography; Experimental study; Two-photon polymerization; Composite material; Protein; Photopolymers; Microstereolithography; Crosslinked copolymer; Biophotopolymers; Gelatin derivatives; Digital light processing; Photopolymerization; Crosslinked polymer; Biocompatibility; Rapid prototyping; Acrylate copolymer; Biomaterial; Prepolymer; Two photon absorption
• ISSN: 1547-0091; 1945-9645; 2168-8028; 1935-3804
• DOI: 10.1007/s11998-007-9059-3

Rapid prototyping by means of stereolithography using different types of photopolymers has gained increasing interest because cellular structures can be built at a high resolution with sub-mum feature sizes. Structures made with digital light processing and microstereolithography and rapid prototyping based on two-photon absorption photopolymerization techniques are presented. Soluble photopolymers were developed to substitute crosslinked photopolymers as mold materials and to extend the variety of materials which can be cast. With these molds, the processing of 'bio-inspired' ceramic composites with a controlled architecture from a macroscopic scale down to the nanometer range is possible. Another example is the development of biophotopolymers that are based on commercially available reactive diluents and modified gelatin for the fabrication of cellular bone replacement materials. Biocompatibility was investigated by seeding with osteoblast-like cells.