Denmark: 3D printed conductive hydrogel for medical applications

China3D printingNet, May 2nd, Shweta Agarwala, Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark, has studied the medical field in the recently published “Electronic conductive hydrogel for health care: concept, manufacturing method and application”3D printingTechnology and conduct an overview of conductive hydrogels.
along with3D printingStarting to penetrate into the mainstream sector, industries such as automotive, aerospace, and construction have been positively affected-now, as scientists continue to make great strides in the field of bioprinting, medical applications have surpassed 3D models and equipment. Scaffolds are commonly used structures in tissue engineering and have many different hydrogels. However, they can now also be used in applications ranging from smart wearable devices to biosensors, implants and pathways to wound treatment.

Hydrogels are attractive in research and other applications for the following reasons:

.
Ideal extracellular matrix (ECM)

.Unit support

.Biocompatibility

.Natural and synthetic hydrophilic polymer chains can provide high water absorption

“Although hydrogels have found niche applications in tissue engineering, they are inherently insulating. Recent studies have shown that hydrogels not only have the necessary properties to support biological species, but if modified, they can also interact with Circuit connection. “Therefore, research on conductive hydrogels has aroused widespread interest in applications such as health recording electrodes. “



Schematic diagram of conductive hydrogel, its composition and application.

Agarwala pointed out that in general, the conductivity associated with hydrogels is ionic conductivity.



An overview of the material composites for the preparation of conductive hydrogels and their electrical conductivity.

“In this case, the additive material contributes little to the overall conductivity. However, recent research work in this direction has shown the hope of inducing conductivity from the additive material.Although the most common method used for conductive materials compatible with water is the use of ultrasonic energy or heating, there are five other methods available:

1.Hydrogel monomers and nanoparticles with crosslinking agent are gelled together.

2. After gelation, the nanoparticles are physically embedded in the hydrogel matrix.

3. Load the nanoparticle precursor into the gel.

4. Use the cross-linking of nanoparticles to form a hydrogel.

5. Hydrogels are formed using nanoparticles, polymers and other molecules.



Schematic diagrams depicting various methods of synthesizing conductive hydrogels: (A) Hydrogel monomers with crosslinking agent and nanoparticles gelled together; (B) Nanoparticles are physically embedded in water after gelation In the gel matrix; (C) Formation of reactive nanoparticles assisted by the hydrogel network, where the nanoparticle precursor is supported in the gel; (D) Cross-linking of nanoparticles to form a hydrogel; (E) Use Nanoparticles, polymers and other molecules form hydrogels.

3D printingOne of the biggest benefits of ”is that users can not only create more complex geometric figures, but also enjoy great freedom in design and customization, and can complete projects faster and make changes as needed.All these benefits apply to why3D printingThe reason for such a large increase in conductive hydrogels.
The technology usually relies on shear thinning to make them flow with the pressure of the piezoelectric head.
Piezoelectric materials deform when voltage or current is applied. Therefore, the opening of the orifice can be controlled by changing the voltage applied to the print head. Inkjet printing produces small droplets (sub-micron volume), which are deposited on the surface. “Compared with a large amount of material ejected by extrusion, the volume of material deposition is small, which helps to print high-resolution structures and supports.”
Ink development is considered3D printingOne of the most important aspects. Hydrogel inks need to have correct rheological properties to meet the physical and mechanical requirements of the orientation process. “

(A) 3D biological mapping system (with permission[65]Copy) (B) Digital Light Projector (DLP)3D printingSystem to3D printingSketch of conductive hydrogel scaffold (with permission[74]Copy), and (C) a sketch of the stereolithography process (copy with permission[75]).

China3D printingNet Comments: Such hydrogels have the potential to be used in sensor technology, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering. From graphene-chitosan to silica nanoparticles, silica alumina, a variety of composite materials have also been used. Due to the many challenges involved, the commercialization of this kind of manufacturing is still far away. These materials cannot follow the original design model because the printed structure cannot retain the original shape. Achieving functional gradients and hierarchical attributes is also challenging, and new design methods are being developed to solve these problems.
“The field of conductive hydrogels is still full of unresolved technical challenges, so it provides researchers in this field with opportunities for development, because the development of this field has gone beyond the early stage. The improvement of the conductivity of hydrogels may be a research direction. , And combining new functions such as biodegradability and mechanical strength can open up new avenues for applications. Innovations are also needed in the manufacturing method to allow the various components of the hydrogel to deposit in the desired way.

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