| POLYMERS Vol.63 No.8 |
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COVER STORY
3D Printers and Fabrication |
| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Nonlinear Nano-Stereolithography | Shoji MARUO |
| <Abstract> Recently three-dimensional (3D) printers have attracted much attention. In particular, micro/nano stereolithography using a femtosecond pulsed laser can provide 3D polymer microstructures with sub-100 nm feature size via two-photon-initiated photopolymerization. In addition, use of deactivation processes such as stimulated emission depletion and photoinduced deactivation allows us to create fine structures with sub-10 nm feature size. Various kinds of materials such as nanocomposite photopolymers, smart gels and biopolymers have also been actively studied for the production of functional microdevices. These micro/nano stereolithography techniques with wide variety of materials have been applied in wide range of applications such as photonics, biology, lab-on-a-chip and micromachines. Furthermore, we have developed 3D molding process using a 3D polymer mold. This molding process can provide functional ceramic microdevices such as bioscaffolds and piezoelectric elements. In this paper, we report on the recent progress of micro/nano stereolithography techniques and molding processes and their applications. Keywords: 3D Printing / Microstereolithogrphy / Photopolymer / Two-Photon Absorption / Molding / Optical Trapping / Microfluidic Devices |
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| Additive Manufacturing Technology and RaFaEl | Seiji HAYANO |
| <Abstract> This paper reviews technology developments and market trends surrounding Additive Manufacturing (AM, also known as 3D Printing), which has received much interest and attention in the past year from a variety of audiences both industrial users and non-industrial users. An analysis on the perceived future direction of AM, especially in the leading US and European markets, will be presented with reference to roles and activities of NAMII (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute. “America Makes”), which is a US government initiated institution focusing on accelerating development and adoption of AM technologies for the US manufacturing community. The paper will also explain the development history and characteristics of RaFaEl, an original Japanese powder bed fusion system developed by Aspect, Inc. Major focus of development in the company was to improve productivity from Aspect’s previous powder bed fusion systems by a factor of two. Keywords: Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing / Laser / Powder Bed Fusion |
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| 3-D Printing and Science Discussion | Masaru KAWAKAMI |
| <Abstract> The recent progress and popularization of 3D printing technology have enabled researchers to make custom scientific models. These physical models provide an interactive, hands-on experience which deepens the user’s intuitive understanding of the complicated structure of research subjects. 3D printed physical models will be an effective discussion tools for the laboratory to stimulate researchers’ inspiration, and innovative research progress would be gained from it. Keywords: 3D Printing / Science Model / Molecular Model / Peer Discussion / Biomolecules |
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| COVER STORY: Topics and Products |
| High Precision Stereolithography System and 3D Printer | Yoshitaka TAKIYA |
| <Abstract> We have provided stereolithography machines and materials in Japan since 1990. Stereolithography has a long history among additive fabrications. We introduce the features of high precision stereolithography system compared to recent 3D Printer technology. Keywords: Stereolithography / 3D Printer / Additive Fabrication / Rapid Prototyping / Rapid Manufacturing |
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| The Developments of 3D-Bioprinter Aiming at Construction of 3D Biological Tissues | Kenichi ARAI, Makoto NAKAMURA |
| <Abstract> Biological tissues and organs are consisted of three dimensional (3D) structures with several types of cells and extracellular matrices. It is one of the biggest challenges in tissue engineering to construct such 3D biological structures by every means applying manufacturing technologies. Then, we found the big potentials of inkjet technologies in tissue construction such as multi-color printing and high resolution printing with micro-sized ink droplets, we have developed a custom-made inkjet 3D-Bioprinter, which enable to fabricate complicated 3D hydrogel structures including living cells by layer-by-layer printing. As a result, the feasibility of direct cell printing and 3D laminating has been shown, and the concept of computer aided tissue engineering, in which biological tissues are designed in computer and fabricated by 3D-Bioprinter, could be proposed as a next generation tissue engineering approach. In future, we expect that 3D fabricated tissues produced by several engineering techniques including 3D-Bioprinting can contribute to the development of innovative clinical therapeutics for intractable diseases and organ failure. Keywords: Biofabrication / Tissue Engneering / 3D Bioprinter Cell Printing / Inkjet |
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| 3D Gel Printer | Jin GONG |
| <Abstract> Current commercial 3D printers are almost exclusively used for printing plastic or metal. 3D printers for forming soft material gels have not been found in the market. Freeforming of gels is quite difficult due to their two unique properties of softness and swelling. In our group, two kinds of 3D printers for freeform fabrication of gels and soft food were developed, a bathtub-type gel printer named SWIM-ER, and an ink-jet-type food printer named E-CHEF. The valve of blood vessel, which is hard to build by soft materials, is printed successfully with gels by SWIM-ER. We also succeeded in preparing the Japanese traditional dish rice balls by the food printer E-CHEF. The 3D gel printers allow us to combine the synthesis and freeform technology for gels. These combination would initiate paradigm changes not only in the chemistry field but also in the mechanical field. The true creative manufacturing, designing and making only for an individual, is supposed to be realized perhaps surprisingly soon. Keywords: 3D Printer / Gel / Food / Chemistry / Mechanical / Robotics / Order-Made |
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| Overview of FDM 3D-Printer for Thermoplastic Resins, and its Applications | Hiroyuki MARUOKA |
| <Abstract> So called “3D-printers” consist of a lot of technologies, machines and materials of Additive Manufacturing. FDM stands for Fused-Deposition-Modeling. It is one of the major processes of 3D-printing. FDM can produce engineering thermoplastic parts without molding, hence it is useful for prototyping and Direct-Digital-Manufacturing in many fields. Keywords: 3D-Printer / Additive-Manufacturing / AM / Fused-Deposition-Modeling / FDM / Thermoplastics / Direct-Digital-Manufacturing / DDM |
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| From 3D Printer to Personal Fabrication: FabLab | Hiroya TANAKA |
| <Abstract> In this paper, we are describing the past, present, and the future of personal fabrication through practices emerged from FabLabs all over the world. Keywords: 3D Printing / Personal Fabrication / Smart Material / User-Innovation |
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| Market and R&D Trends in 3D Printing | Sakiko TSUJI |
| <Abstract> 3D printing is currently a hot topic. It is an automatic process to create objects from various kinds of materials, such as metals, plastics, papers, and ceramics. The global 3D printing market is growing rapidly and reached over $2 billion in 2012. But while 3D printing is believed to be the next industrial revolution, in reality there are still technical issues to be solved. This report provides current information on technical description and issues, market trends, and statistical analysis of patents and research papers of 3D printing worldwide. The analysis of patents indicated the companies in Europe, USA, and Japan are the major R&D players. On the other hand, the statistical analysis of research papers showed, in addition to Europe and USA, China and Korea put considerable effort in academic research. The number of published papers on this area has been continuously growing since 2001. This suggested 3D printing has attracted increasing attention as reseach themes. Keywords: Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing / Market Trend / Patent Analysis / R&D Trend |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| Shu-Ha-Ri: a Way to Establish Oneself as a Researcher | Daichi IDA |
| <Abstract> The author has learned one possible way to establish himself as a researcher in polymer science from iaidō: one of the traditional martial arts in Japan (budō). The way may be explained on the basis of the concept “shu-ha-ri.” In this short article, the author gives a brief explanation of shu-ha-ri and of the relation between iaidō training and research training. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| High-throughput Screening of Biocompatible Polymers: The Roles of Bio-Interfacial Water and Materials Design Based on “Intermediate Water” Concept | Masaru TANAKA |
| <Abstract> The mechanisms responsible for the biocompatibility of polymers at the molecular level have not been clearly demonstrated, although many theoretical and experimental efforts have been made to understand these mechanisms. Water interactions have been recognized as fundamental for the biological response to contact with polymers. We have proposed the “Intermediate Water” concept, and hypothesized that intermediate water, which prevents the proteins and blood cells from directly contacting the polymer surface, or non-freezing water on the polymer surface, plays an important role in the biocompatibility of polymers. We will provide an overview of the recent experimental progress of the robust screening of biocompatible polymers based on bio-interfacial water structure. Keywords: Biocomaptibility / Water Structure / Protein Adsorption / Cell Adhesion / Intermediate Water |
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