Advective Assembler-Enhanced Support Bath Rotational Direct Ink Writing

Manufacturing intricately controlled, hierarchically distributed structures poses significant fabrication challenges, but is crucial for enhancing functionality in synthetic systems. A 3D printing technique combining advective assembly with rotational direct ink writing is developed and exploited to build topologically complex, multimaterial structures with high precision. A modular advective assembler printhead is fabricated and employed in the process. This flow-structuring device is designed with a complex network of internal channels that patterns flowing hydrogel-based inks, creating multi-layered filaments whose structures go well beyond conventional nozzle shape and size limitations. The composite filaments are extruded into a rotating support bath of Polyacrylic acid microgels. The rheology of the inks and support bath are critical to maintain print fidelity and integrity, and are characterized by linear and nonlinear bulk rheometry. Optimization of the materials creates a platform where curvilinear, multimaterial architectures are constructed without being constrained to slicing across X, Y, and Z axes. The versatility of this manufacturing platform is demonstrated by printing helical structures that undergo swelling-induced actuation. This processing method has the potential to significantly enhance additive manufacturing by enabling the production of intricate, multiscale composite structures with broad applicability in fields such as bioengineering, soft robotics, and functional composite materials. A novel additive manufacturing technique is developed and employed to print topologically complex, multimaterial, unsupported 3D structures. This methodology combines rotational 3D printing and support bath direct ink writing. Furthermore, an advective assembler is used as printhead in the process: this flow-structuring device allows to fine tune the internal architecture of the multi-inks filaments. image