Nordic Polymer Days 2024
Nordic Polymer Days 2024: Book of Abstracts 2024
Maksims Jurinovs, Sergejs Gaidukovs, Agnija Ritere

Plant oil-based elastomers are an appealing alternative to petroleum-derived polymers, especially in the rising demand for flexible, high-strain materials in the field of 3D-printable soft robotics. Originally, implementation of such solutions has been restricted by fossil polymers and slow and labor-intensive molding techniques, which limit design flexibility and resolution. Herein we present a vat photopolymerization 3D-printable system, harnessing easily customizable plant oil acrylates with a bio-based carbon content spanning from 62% to 80%. Through meticulous macromolecular design and optimized post-processing, our material achieves a remarkable spectrum of mechanical and functional properties. From yielding soft and stretchable elastomers boasting elongations of up to 180%, to strong and malleable shape-memory polymers. To demonstrate the versatility of our materials, we created a fully 3D-printed soft robotic actuator capable of rapid and precise movement. The created material enables the development of long-lasting, high-resolution structures customized to specific mechanical needs across a wide range of advanced applications.


Keywords
Soft-robotics, 3D printing, biopolymers, elastomers

Jurinovs, M., Gaidukovs, S., Ritere, A. Nordic Polymer Days 2024. In: Nordic Polymer Days 2024: Book of Abstracts, Finland, Helsinki, 12-14 June, 2024. Helsinki: 2024, pp.00-00.

Publication language
English (en)
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