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Ustunel S, Pandya H, Prévôt ME, Pegorin G, Shiralipour F, Paul R, Clements RJ, Khabaz F, Hegmann E. A Molecular Rheology Dynamics Study on 3D Printing of Liquid Crystal Elastomers. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2300717. [PMID: 38445752 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
This work presents a rheological study of a biocompatible and biodegradable liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) ink for three dimensional (3D) printing. These materials have shown that their structural variations have an effect on morphology, mechanical properties, alignment, and their impact on cell response. Within the last decade LCEs are extensively studied as potential printing materials for soft robotics applications, due to the actuation properties that are produced when liquid crystal (LC) moieties are induced through external stimuli. This report utilizes experiments and coarse-grained molecular dynamics to study the macroscopic rheology of LCEs in nonlinear shear flow. Results from the shear flow simulations are in line with the outcomes of these experimental investigations. This work believes the insights from these results can be used to design and print new material with desirable properties necessary for targeted applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senay Ustunel
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Harsh Pandya
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Marianne E Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Gisele Pegorin
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Faeze Shiralipour
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Rajib Paul
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Robert J Clements
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Fardin Khabaz
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
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2
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Sun X, Chen S, Qu B, Wang R, Zheng Y, Liu X, Li W, Gao J, Chen Q, Zhuo D. Light-oriented 3D printing of liquid crystal/photocurable resins and in-situ enhancement of mechanical performance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6586. [PMID: 37852967 PMCID: PMC10584836 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42369-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Additive manufacturing technology has significantly impacted contemporary industries due to its ability to generate intricate computer-designed geometries. However, 3D-printed polymer parts often possess limited application potential, primarily because of their weak mechanical attributes. To overcome this drawback, this study formulates liquid crystal/photocurable resins suitable for the stereolithography technique by integrating 4'-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl with a photosensitive acrylic resin. This study demonstrates that stereolithography facilitates the precise modulation of the existing liquid crystal morphology within the resin. Furthermore, the orientation of the liquid crystal governs the oriented polymerization of monomers or prepolymers bearing acrylate groups. The products of this 3D printing approach manifest anisotropic behavior. Remarkably, when utilizing liquid crystal/photocurable resins, the resulting 3D-printed objects are approximately twice as robust as those created using commercial resins in terms of their tensile, flexural, and impact properties. This pioneering approach holds promise for realizing autonomously designed structures that remain elusive with present additive manufacturing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Sun
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350007, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Shaoyun Chen
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350007, P. R. China.
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
| | - Bo Qu
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Yanyu Zheng
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoying Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Wenjie Li
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Jianhong Gao
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Qinhui Chen
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350007, P. R. China.
| | - Dongxian Zhuo
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350007, P. R. China.
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
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Barbour A, Cai YQ, Fluerasu A, Freychet G, Fukuto M, Gang O, Gann E, Laasch R, Li R, Ocko BM, Tsai EHR, Wąsik P, Wiegart L, Yager KG, Yang L, Zhang H, Zhang Y. X-ray Scattering for Soft Matter Research at NSLS-II. SYNCHROTRON RADIATION NEWS 2023; 36:24-30. [PMID: 38046894 PMCID: PMC10688614 DOI: 10.1080/08940886.2023.2207449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andi Barbour
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Yong Q Cai
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Andrei Fluerasu
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | | | - Masafumi Fukuto
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Oleg Gang
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eliot Gann
- Materials Measurement Science Division, Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Ricarda Laasch
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Ruipeng Li
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin M Ocko
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Esther H R Tsai
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Patryk Wąsik
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Lutz Wiegart
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Kevin G Yager
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Lin Yang
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Honghu Zhang
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
| | - Yugang Zhang
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA
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Ustunel S, Sternbach S, Prévôt ME, Freeman EJ, McDonough JA, Clements RJ, Hegmann E. 3D
Co‐culturing of human neuroblastoma and human oligodendrocytes, emulating native tissue using
3D
porous biodegradable liquid crystal elastomers. J Appl Polym Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/app.53883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Senay Ustunel
- Materials Science Graduate Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Sarah Sternbach
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Marianne E. Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Ernie J. Freeman
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Brain Health Research Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Jennifer A. McDonough
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Brain Health Research Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Robert J. Clements
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Brain Health Research Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Materials Science Graduate Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Brain Health Research Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
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Prévôt ME, Ustunel S, Freychet G, Webb CR, Zhernenkov M, Pindak R, Clements RJ, Hegmann E. Physical Models from Physical Templates Using Biocompatible Liquid Crystal Elastomers as Morphologically Programmable Inks For 3D Printing. Macromol Biosci 2023; 23:e2200343. [PMID: 36415071 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Advanced manufacturing has received considerable attention as a tool for the fabrication of cell scaffolds however, finding ideal biocompatible and biodegradable materials that fit the correct parameters for 3D printing and guide cells to align remain a challenge. Herein, a photocrosslinkable smectic-A (Sm-A) liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) designed for 3D printing is presented, that promotes cell proliferation but most importantly induces cell anisotropy. The LCE-based bio-ink allows the 3D duplication of a highly complex brain structure generated from an animal model. Vascular tissue models are generated from fluorescently stained mouse tissue spatially imaged using confocal microscopy and subsequently processed to create a digital 3D model suitable for printing. The 3D structure is reproduced using a Digital Light Processing (DLP) stereolithography (SLA) desktop 3D printer. Synchrotron Small-Angle X-ray Diffraction (SAXD) data reveal a strong alignment of the LCE layering within the struts of the printed 3D scaffold. The resultant anisotropy of the LCE struts is then shown to direct cell growth. This study offers a simple approach to produce model tissues built within hours that promote cellular alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne E Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Senay Ustunel
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Guillaume Freychet
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source-II, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Caitlyn R Webb
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Mikhail Zhernenkov
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source-II, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Ron Pindak
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source-II, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Robert J Clements
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
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