Printable elastic conductors promise large-area stretchable sensor/actuator networks for healthcare, wearables and robotics. Elastomers with metal nanoparticles are one of the best approaches to achieve high performance, but large-area utilization is limited by difficulties in their processability. Here we report a printable elastic conductor containing Ag nanoparticles that are formed in situ, solely by mixing micrometre-sized Ag flakes, fluorine rubbers, and surfactant. Our printable elastic composites exhibit conductivity higher than 4,000 S cm (highest value: 6,168 S cm) at 0% strain, and 935 S cm when stretched up to 400%. Ag nanoparticle formation is influenced by the surfactant, heating processes, and elastomer molecular weight, resulting in a drastic improvement of conductivity. Fully printed sensor networks for stretchable robots are demonstrated, sensing pressure and temperature accurately, even when stretched over 250%.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat4904 | DOI Listing |
Materials (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy.
The metastable β-Ti21S alloy exhibits a lower elastic modulus than Ti-6Al-4V ELI while maintaining high mechanical strength and ductility. To address stress shielding, this study explores the integration of lattice structures within prosthetics, which is made possible through additive manufacturing. Continuous adhesion between the implant and bone is essential; therefore, auxetic bow-tie structures with a negative Poisson's ratio are proposed for regions under tensile stress, while Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) structures with a positive Poisson's ratio are recommended for areas under compressive stress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolymers (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan.
This study examines the influence of nanofillers on the ultraviolet (UV) penetration depth of photopolymer resins used in stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, and their impact on printability. Three nanofillers, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), graphene nanoplatelets (xGNP), and boron nitride nanoparticles (BNNP), were incorporated into a commercially available photopolymer resin to prepare nanocomposite formulations. The UV penetration depth (Dp) was assessed using the Windowpane method, revealing a significant reduction with the addition of nanofillers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Mater Chem B
January 2025
Centre for 3D Models of Health and Disease, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK.
The significance of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting in the domain of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering is readily apparent. To create a multi-functional bioinspired structure, 3D bioprinting requires high-performance bioinks. Bio-inks refer to substances that encapsulate viable cells and are employed in the printing procedure to construct 3D objects progressive through successive layers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolymers (Basel)
November 2024
Research Institute for Materials Science and Technology, INTEMA (UNMdP-CONICET), Av. Colón 10850, Mar del Plata B7606BWV, Argentina.
Biodegradable polymers and bioceramics give rise to composite structures that serve as scaffolds to promote tissue regeneration. The current research explores the preparation of biodegradable filaments for additive manufacturing. Bioresorbable segmented poly(ester urethanes) (SPEUs) are easily printable elastomers but lack bioactivity and present low elastic modulus, making them unsuitable for applications such as bone tissue engineering.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Nano
December 2024
State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
Elastic conductive ink (ECI) can effectively balance the electromechanical properties of printed flexible electronics. It remains challenging to realize ECIs for direct printing on deformable porous substrates with complex textures, such as textiles, to form continuous and stable electrical paths. We engineered a self-adhesive ECI with high permeability and low diffusivity, achieving efficient electrode printing on a wide range of textiles with material and structure diversity.
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