About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2024 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2024)
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Symposium
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2024 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2024)
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Presentation Title |
Development of a Testing Platform for High-viscosity Photopolymers |
Author(s) |
Martha Leach, Roxana Carbonell, Hongtao Song, Carolyn Seepersad |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Martha Leach |
Abstract Scope |
There has been increasing demand in recent years for additively manufactured elastomers with mechanical properties similar to commercially available molded silicones. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a silicone rubber known for its exceptional mechanical properties and biocompatibility. UV-curable PDMS resins have been developed for vat photopolymerization (VPP), but the addition of silica nanoparticles is necessary to approach the mechanical properties of molded silicones. These reinforcement particles greatly increase the viscosity of the resin, making conventional VPP techniques unsuitable. This work details the development of a desktop top-down VPP system with selective laser sintering (SLS)-style recoating for high-viscosity resins. This printer will serve as a testbed for new formulations of PDMS resins and other high-viscosity photopolymers. It will also facilitate the validation of soft robots that have been optimized for use with existing PDMS resins. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Definite: Post-meeting proceedings |