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3D Printing Embedded Nanofibers with an Automated On-the-fly Manual Pull Post-drawing System
Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, US
TECHNOLOGY BRIEF
The system is a combination 3D printer and an automated manual pull post-drawing system designed for producing different polymer parts with perfectly aligned nanofibers. The embedded nanofibers can produce strong parts and prosthetics with minimal waste for aerospace, biomedical, cosmetics, healthcare, electronics, and infrastructure applications.
TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY
With the addition of an automated on-the-fly manual pull post-drawing system to a 3D printing machine, nanofibers are stretched and aligned immediately encapsulating within the printed layer. The continuous automated manual pull post-drawing system is inexpensive with a straightforward interchangeable track for different types of polymers. The track can be disposable or lined as a single-use device for bioengineering labs and health care providers. Using this system, the automated spinning track system can produced nanofiber from a wide variety of polymers (ex. PAN, PCL, PEO, PEDOT:PSS, PVAc, PVDF, nylon, para-aramid, telfon nanofibers, etc...), biopolymers (ex. Silk fibroin, collagen, zein, soy, peanut, etc...), DNA, and polymeric carbohydrates (alginate, cellulose, lignin, etc...). The spinning device could enable us to create a wound dressing out of biocompatible materials seed and grow stem cells on scaffolding for tissue engineering. Other examples include biosensors, lightweight composites, filtration technologies, fibrous smart textiles, and battery (fuel cell) technologies. Unlike electrospinning nanofibers (the device uses a mechanical stretching force is used instead of electrical power, making high electrical voltage unnecessary, avoiding high cost, and excessive energy usage during production.
AREA/MATURITY/AWARDS
Primary Application Area: Biotech, Pharma, Medical Devices
Technology Development Status: Prototype
Technology Readiness Level: TRL 3
Vetted Programs/Awards: NSF
SHOWCASE SUMMARY
Organization Type: Academic/Gov Lab
GOVT/EXTERNAL FUNDING SOURCES
External Funding to Date: NSF