PAGE TITLE
High Resolution Electrohydrodynamic Printing of High Viscosity Materials
PAGE SUMMARY
Researchers in Drexel’s Department of Mechanical Engineering have developed an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) 3D inkjet printing system that uses an electric field to pull high viscosity inks to achieve high-resolution additive manufacturing. A multi-material, multi-functional nozzle is used to print 3D objects from the high viscosity material. High viscosity materials require high pressure and can easily clog the printing nozzle. An air flow focusing method is used to increase printing efficiency by forming a cone-jet that does not deteriorate into a spray in an enclosed chamber. This jet flow rate is faster than existing EHD jet printing capabilities. The team has demonstrated proof of concept using polycaprolactone as a printing material, printing continuous lines of up to 13 micrometers and shapes in multiple layers.
Work is ongoing to analyze the effects of the operating parameters on cone-jet formation in 3D printing, material properties, and configuration of the printing head with the other 3D printing components. The nozzle system will be optimized to accommodate different materials over a range of viscosities and jet sizes for effective material deposition.
APPLICATIONS
TITLE: Applications
3D printing of high viscosity materials
Tissue engineering and bio-printing applications
ADVANTAGES
TITLE:Advantages
High-resolution inkjet printing technology
Print high viscosity materials that cannot be printed with conventional lithographic-based methods
Faster speed for material deposition
IP STATUS
Intellectual Property and Development Status
United States Issued Patent -11,559,944
https://patents.google.com/patent/US11559944B2/en?oq=11%2c559%2c944
PUBLICATIONS
References
Zhou JG et al. High Resolution Electrohydrodynamic Printing of PCL. IJIRSET, 8(5), 2019.
Contact Information
For more information on this technology, please contact applied_innovation@drexel.edu.