New Process Means Faster 3D Printing

Researchers have developed a printing process that prints strong nonmetallic materials in record time — five times faster than traditional 3D printing. The process, called SWOMP, which stands for Selective dual-wavelength Olefin metathesis 3D printing, uses dual-wavelength light, unlike the traditional printing process. Read on to learn more.

Streamlining Medical Device Development and Manufacturing Using Silicone Elastomers

This article compares high consistency silicone rubbers, liquid silicone rubbers, and low consistency elastomers, analyzing their characteristics and the implications in selecting each during different phases in the development of silicone medical devices. Read on to learn more.

Soft Implantable Polymer Balloon Enables Controlled and Targeted Drug Delivery

In a paper published in Biomaterials Research, a team led by researchers from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology present data on their nonbiodegradable, ultrasoft, and flexible balloon implant for drug delivery. Their findings demonstrate the balloon’s effectiveness in delivering a model drug both in the laboratory setting and in animal models. Read on to learn more.

Shaping the Future of Polymer Nanocarriers

Scientists have taken a significant step toward the development of tailor-made chiral nanocarriers with controllable release properties. These nanocarriers, inspired by nature’s helical molecules like DNA and proteins, hold immense potential for targeted drug delivery and other biomedical applications. Read on to learn more.

Elastomer Material Flexibility Optimizes Performance

When specifying a high-performance material for a medical device application, temperature, chemical environment and compatibility, hardness, compression set resistance, and certification considerations quickly build stringent material requirements. Expert suppliers consult with OEMs to think creatively, support product development, and collaborate to find solutions that will deliver necessary results.

Artificial Muscle Device Produces Force 34 Times Its Weight

Researchers have developed a fluid switch using ionic polymer artificial muscles that operates at ultra-low power and produces a force 34 times greater than its weight. Fluid switches control fluid flow, causing the fluid to flow in a specific direction to invoke various movements.

Producing a Magic Wand for Pain-Free Dental Treatments

Some people do not go the dentist out of fear, thereby risking a worsening of untreated tooth damage. However, some dental practices offer patients a gentle alternative: The Wand – STA System from Milestone Scientific.

Conductive, Cotton-Based Fiber for Smart Textiles

A single strand of fiber has the flexibility of cotton and the electric conductivity of a polymer, called polyaniline. The newly developed material showed good potential for wearable e-textiles. Researchers tested the fibers with a system that powered an LED light and another that sensed ammonia gas.

Advancing Medical Device Sustainability with Specialty Thermoplastics

By choosing specialty thermoplastics, device manufacturers can help reduce the environmental impact of their products while gaining plastic's well-known benefits of expanded design freedom and streamlined, high-volume production of parts compared to metal alternatives.

How to Select USP Class VI Medical Silicones

This article provides an overview of USP Class VI silicones and explains what medical device manufacturers need to consider when selecting these materials.

The Truth About PTFE and the Need for Sustainable Coatings

As this article was being written, it came to light that the EU MDR is reconsidering banning fluoropolymers and, namely, PFAS. This is due in large part to industry pressure, according to a recent article. The final outcome remains to be seen, but one thing is certain. Read to find out what.

Open-Source Microscale 3D printers

An advanced microscale 3D printing technology used for tissue engineering, cancer research, and biofabrication is now accessible to researchers worldwide. The technology centers around melt electrowriting (MEW), a unique class of additive manufacturing.

Biodegradable Polymer for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Engineers have developed a biodegradable polymer system to treat rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, by working in concert with the power of the human immune system.

Evaluating Ultrasonic Welding of Medical Plastics: Part 2

A previous article described the theoretical framework for USW of thermoplastics. This article presents the key parameters and materials influencing an ultrasonic welding process, so that USW can be accomplished successfully.

Plastic Transistor Amplifies Biochemical Sensing Signal

The molecules in our bodies are in constant communication. Now, researchers have developed a new technology that makes it easier to eavesdrop on our body’s inner conversations.

High-Performance Crosslinkable Thermoplastic Elastomers for Medical Applications

A family of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) crosslinked by irradiation improve thermomechanical properties and chemical resistance at elevated temperatures.

Waterproof Fabric Converts Motion into Electricity

Scientists have developed a stretchable and waterproof fabric that turns energy generated from body movements into electrical energy. A crucial component in the fabric is a polymer that, when...

Printable, Transparent Plastic Is Highly Conductive

Researchers have designed a transparent polymer film that conducts electricity as effectively as other commonly used materials, while also being flexible and easy to use at an industrial scale.

Printing Flexible Circuits on Curved Surfaces

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique for directly printing electronic circuits onto curved and corrugated surfaces.

Stretchable Rubber Diode for Medical, Electronic Devices

A fully rubbery stretchable diode maintains performance.

Plasma Treatment: Transforming Plastic Parts into High-Value Products

For medical device manufacturers that work with different kinds of plastics, utilizing plasma treatments can create competitive advantages.

Thermoresponsive Smart Materials

The researchers used water as the solvent and developed an LCST-type thermoresponsive polymer by adding alkaline earth metal ions — which are divalent cations — to polymers and aqueous solutions.

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Chemical Resistance of Thermoplastics for Non-Disposable Medical Devices – A Voice from Industry Collaboration Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

Disinfectant formulations tend to be comprised of an active ingredient, a solvent or aqueous carrier solution, and additional constituents that enhance the formulation’s properties.

Building Better Gas-Phase Biosensors for Fight Against Diseases

By embedding enzymes inside the polymer string, the enzymes were operational even in a dry state.

Why Cleanroom Assembly of Plastic Medical and Electronic Devices Requires Ultrasonic Welding Technology

For years, ultrasonic welding has been used in cleanrooms where plastic components are assembled to complete medical and electronic...

Electrospinning Advantages for Wearable Technology

Researchers have shown that electrospun materials have many advantages over conventional bulk materials for the development of wearables. Electrospun materials’ high surface-to-volume...

Helmet Made of Magnetic Metamaterials Could Improve Brain Scans

It may look like a bizarre bike helmet, or a piece of equipment found in Doc Brown’s lab in Back to the Future, yet this gadget made of plastic and copper wire is a...

Hybrid Material Enables Next-Gen E-Skin

Researchers have developed three-in-one hybrid material smart skin for the next generation of artificial, electronic skin using a novel process. With 2,000 individual sensors per square millimeter,...

What Medical Device OEMs Should Know About Outsourced MIM

The basis of metal injection molding (MIM) technology involves fine metal powders, which are combined with thermoplastic binders and surfactants, allowing injection in a plastic...