Desktop‐Stereolithography 3D‐Printing of a Poly(dimethylsiloxane)‐Based Material with Sylgard‐184 Properties. Issue 22 (14th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bhattacharjee, Nirveek; Parra‐Cabrera, Cesar; Kim, Yong Tae; Kuo, Alexandra P.; Folch, Albert
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 30:Issue 22(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-04-14
• Subjects: 3D‐printing -- elastomers -- microfluidics -- poly(dimethylsiloxane) -- stereolithography; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201800001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: The advantageous physiochemical properties of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) have made it an extremely useful material for prototyping in various technological, scientific, and clinical areas. However, PDMS molding is a manual procedure and requires tedious assembly steps, especially for 3D designs, thereby limiting its access and usability. On the other hand, automated digital manufacturing processes such as stereolithography (SL) enable true 3D design and fabrication. Here the formulation, characterization, and SL application of a 3D‐printable PDMS resin (3DP‐PDMS) based on commercially available PDMS‐methacrylate macromers, a high‐efficiency photoinitiator and a high‐absorbance photosensitizer, is reported. Using a desktop SL‐printer, optically transparent submillimeter structures and microfluidic channels are demonstrated. An optimized blend of PDMS‐methacrylate macromers is also used to SL‐print structures with mechanical properties similar to conventional thermally cured PDMS (Sylgard‐184). Furthermore, it is shown that SL‐printed 3DP‐PDMS substrates can be rendered suitable for mammalian cell culture. The 3DP‐PDMS resin enables assembly‐free, automated, digital manufacturing of PDMS, which should facilitate the prototyping of devices for microfluidics, organ‐on‐chip platforms, soft robotics, flexible electronics, and sensors, among others. Abstract : A poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)‐based stereolithography resin for 3D‐printing transparent, flexible, biocompatible, high‐resolution elastomeric structures with mechanical properties similar to Sylgard‐184 PDMS is reported. A 3D‐printed microfluidic device showing a heterogeneous laminar flow is demonstrated. The resin is formulated for use with affordable desktop stereolithography printers so that rapid prototyping and digital manufacturing of microdevices can become more accessible.