(734d) 3D Printed Layered Structures within Each Printing Line for Enhanced Composite Mechanics

Direct ink writing is a 3D printing method generally used in prototyping electronic devices or medical scaffolds. However, the use of gels or solutions as inks limit this technique to low material mechanics. This study will report a new 3D printing platform that can convert each printing line into many-layered microstructures. Via our multiphase direct ink writing (MDIW), the polymer and nanoparticle suspensions will feed different channels during the ink deposition, with each channel separating and multiplying to form much thinner layers than their initial feeding path. We used polyvinyl alcohol and carbo nanotubes (CNTs) to demonstrate this new 3D printing principle and successfully demonstrated a up to 512-layered printing line. The printed composites showed the modulus and strength values increased by ~390% and ~185%, respectively. These layered structures have broad applications in structural systems, electronics, thermal foams, metasurfaces, and regenerative medicine.