2003 / Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings
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Author P. J. Bartolo, R. Lagoa, A. Mendes Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Technology and Management Polytechnic Institute of Leiria Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Leiria, Portugal
Source Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings, 2003, pp 60-69.
Abstract Alginate hydrogels are an import class of ionic biopolymers for medical and biotechnological applications, produced by the combination of alginate with a proper cross-linking agent. During the gel formation, cross-links can be formed between the alginate chains and cationic species, changing the elastic behaviour of the material that controls the volume change phenomena of the gels.
This paper proposes a new rapid prototyping system to produce three-dimensional alginate structures by extruding,layer-by-layer, a previously prepared solution of sodium alginate in water mixed with a solution of calcium chloride, both of known concentration. The building process to obtain these gel structures is described, from a chemical point of view, and some obtained structures are shown. The alginate concentration over both the kinetics and accuracy effects of the process is investigated. The preliminary findings of this research work promise to open an exciting new area for medical applications. Keywords : Alginate, Hydrogels, Biomimetics, Medical Applications, Rapid prototyping. (Auth abstract) [References: 12] XX
Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings can be obtained from: The Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium
or contact:
The University of Texas at Austin
Laboratory for Freeform Fabrication / Texas Materials Institute
Mechanical Engineering Dept.
c/o The Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium
MC C2200
Austin, TX 78712-1063 USA
512-471-3026; 512-471-7681 FX; Email: sffsymp@uts.cc.utexas.edu