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3D Printed Functional and Biological Materials on Moving Freeform Surfaces
Author(s) -
Zhu Zhijie,
Guo ShuangZhuang,
Hirdler Tessa,
Eide Cindy,
Fan Xiaoxiao,
Tolar Jakub,
McAlpine Michael C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201707495
Subject(s) - 3d printing , workspace , 3d printed , inkwell , wearable technology , materials science , wearable computer , computer science , fabrication , electronic component , mechanical engineering , nanotechnology , robot , biomedical engineering , artificial intelligence , embedded system , engineering , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , composite material
Conventional 3D printing technologies typically rely on open‐loop, calibrate‐then‐print operation procedures. An alternative approach is adaptive 3D printing, which is a closed‐loop method that combines real‐time feedback control and direct ink writing of functional materials in order to fabricate devices on moving freeform surfaces. Here, it is demonstrated that the changes of states in the 3D printing workspace in terms of the geometries and motions of target surfaces can be perceived by an integrated robotic system aided by computer vision. A hybrid fabrication procedure combining 3D printing of electrical connects with automatic pick‐and‐placing of surface‐mounted electronic components yields functional electronic devices on a free‐moving human hand. Using this same approach, cell‐laden hydrogels are also printed on live mice, creating a model for future studies of wound‐healing diseases. This adaptive 3D printing method may lead to new forms of smart manufacturing technologies for directly printed wearable devices on the body and for advanced medical treatments.