Surface functionalization of toner particles for three-dimensional laser-printing in biomaterial applications
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Surface functionalization of toner particles for three-dimensional laser-printing in biomaterial applications Christian Speyerer1, Stefan Güttler2, Kirsten Borchers3, Günter Tovar1,3, Thomas Hirth1,3 and Achim Weber1,3 1
Institute for Interfacial Engineering IGVT, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstr. 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany 2 Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstr. 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Nobelstr. 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany ABSTRACT Electro photography („laser printing“) has emerged to one of the leading two-dimensional (2D) print technologies during the last decades. However, in contrast to the well-established ink jet process, the examination of three-dimensional (3D) electro photography has just been started. A newly developed non-contact fusing procedure based on click chemistry methodology has been developed to reduce the mechanical as well as thermal stress during the curing. The inorganic SiOx-coating of the toner particles has been modified for the prospective attachment of the cell-growth promoting amino acid sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) for an improved cell attachment behavior onto the hydrophobic polymeric material. INTRODUCTION Automated manufacturing processes of 3D structures have become a powerful tool in the plastics processing industry during the last decade. Various different techniques have been developed, which can be summarized by the terms Solid Freeform Fabrication and Rapid Prototyping. These methods allow for directly converting digital data into real structured objects by a layer-by-layer process [1]. However, most of those techniques are limited to a single material or to a spatial resolution >250 µm (about 100 dpi) [2], which are not applicable for the construction of a complex multi-component structure (e.g. an artificial blood vessel, Fig. 1).
Fig. 1: Complex 3D-structure of an artificial blood vessel which consists of three different components: durable bulk material, removable filling and a biofunctionalized component at the interface.
In 2D digital printing, high resolution patterning of multiple components within a single printing cycle has been achieved via inkjet-printing and electro photography (“laser printing”). During the last decade, numerous examples for the assembly of three dimensional objects via inkjet-printing have been published [3, 4]. On the contrary, electro photography has only been used for 2D printing applications, although this technique complies well with the requirements for Rapid Prototyping processes: In comparison to the inkjet-procedure, the solvent free process allows for the transfer of a high solid content which is beneficial for the rapid 3D assembly. In addition, high molecular weight polymers can be employed, substituting the oligomeric precursor components in the inkjet process, which often limit certain applications especially in the medical sector [5]. A further advantage lies in the highly reliable process, which is inde
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