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Multimodal 3D Printing of Phantoms to Simulate Biological Tissue

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3D printing with a 3D printed digital material filament for programming functional gradients.

Sang-Joon Ahn^1,2, Howon Lee³, Kyu-Jin Cho^4,5

¹Soft Robotics Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Nature Communications

|May 7, 2024

Summary

This study introduces a novel digital material filament for 3D printing functional gradients using standard fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers. This innovation enables precise control over material properties like strength and conductivity, overcoming traditional FDM limitations.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Additive Manufacturing
Polymer Science

Background:

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is a key technology for creating advanced materials.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a widely accessible 3D printing technique.
Achieving spatial gradation of diverse material properties with conventional FDM is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel digital material filament for 3D printing functional gradients.
To enable the creation of materials with spatially varying properties using standard FDM printers.
To overcome the limitations of traditional FDM in producing complex material gradients.

Main Methods:

A digital material filament was engineered by combining multiple base materials with specific concentrations and distributions.
This filament was then processed using a standard FDM printer.
The constituent materials within the filament were homogeneously blended during the extrusion process.

Main Results:

The developed filament successfully enabled the 3D printing of functional gradients.
Extreme variations in mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and color were achieved in the printed structures.
The process demonstrated the capability for spatial programming of material properties.

Conclusions:

The novel digital material filament approach facilitates low-cost production of functional gradients.
This method is readily adoptable by any standard FDM printer.
The technique expands the possibilities for creating complex, functionally graded materials with FDM technology.