3D Printing of Polymers and Soft Materials

Soft matter 3D printing (3DP) is a rich and diverse research area with new technologies, materials, and processes entering the literature at a rapid pace. Advancements in “traditional” soft 3DP and materials are giving way to hybrid or entirely new processes and materials designed for 3DP. These advancements have been supported by improvement of in-situ process characterization, a more complete understanding of critical material physics, and focused modeling efforts. Soft 3DP processes can now create function from structure and new materials allow the combination of 3DP and self-assembly, producing features at unprecedented length scales. Models, tuned with in-situ process measurements, predict voxel-by-voxel changes in material properties and combining modeling and multi-material printing has enabled advancements in soft robotics, stimuli-responsive materials, and 4D printing. Further, these advancements are pushing the field toward realizing one of the original promises, complete design freedom. This talk will cover “traditional” and emerging soft 3DP processes, material physics, measurement and modeling challenges, and opportunities.