www.3ders.org

Mar 5, 2019 | By Thomas

A Spanish-Israeli team of scientists led by Pilar Amo-Ochoa from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) has developed a versatile 3D printed plastic-composite sensor capable of detecting tiny amounts of water. The 3D printable material is non-toxic and changes its color from purple to blue in wet conditions.

Credit: UAM, Verónica García Vegas

"Understanding how much water is present in a certain environment or material is important," explains DESY scientist Michael Wharmby. "For example, if there is too much water in oil, it may not lubricate machines well, and if there is too much water in fuel, it may not burn properly."

The scientists' new sensor-material is a so-called copper-based coordination polymer, a compound with a water molecule bound to a central copper atom. They used the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) light source, PETRA III, to analyze the changes of the material upon heating. "On heating the compound to 60 degrees Celsius, it changes colour from blue to purple," reports Pilar Amo-Ochoa. The material was heated to 60°C, which removed the water molecule bound to the copper atoms, ultimately causing the color change. "This change can be reversed by leaving it in air, putting it in water, or putting it in a solvent with trace amounts of water in it."

"Having understood this, we were able to model the physics of this change," explains José Ignacio Martínez from the Institute for Materials Science in Madrid (ICMM-CSIC). The scientists were then able to mix the copper compound into a 3D printing ink and printed sensors in several different shapes which were tested in air and water. These tests showed that the 3D printed objects are even more sensitive to the presence of water than the compound by itself. In solvents, the printed sensors could already detect 0.3 to 4 per cent of water in less than two minutes.

If it is dried, either in a water free solvent or by heating, the material turns back to purple. A detailed investigation showed that the material is stable even over many heating cycles, and the copper compounds are evenly distributed throughout the printed sensors. Also, the material is stable in air over at least one year and also at biological relevant pH ranges from 5 to 7.

"This work shows the first 3D printed composite objects created from a non-porous coordination polymer," says co-author Félix Zamora from the Autonomous University of Madrid. "It opens the door to the use of this large family of compounds that are easy to synthesize and exhibit interesting magnetic, conductive and optical properties, in the field of functional 3D printing."

The development opens the door to the generation of a family of new 3D printable functional materials, as the scientists write in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

Maybe you also like:

• US army works with air force-invented steel alloy to 3D print ultra-strong steel parts
• 3D bioprinted, vascularized proximal tubules mimic human kidney functions
• Fraunhofer IWU develops high-speed Screw Extrusion AM system for high-performance plastics
• Breakthrough - Mobile bedside 3D bioprinter can print skin to heal wounds
• LLNL creates multibeam metal 3D printer to understand laser-material interactions
• UOW researchers develop 3D Alek bioprinter to combat congenital ear deformity
• USPTO approves Authentise secure streaming and monitoring patent for digital manufacturing
• Aurora, UWA and RPH to 3D print titanium medical implants for humans
• 3D printed steel tool cuts through titanium, wins $15K innovation prize
• Ruth E. Carter & 3D printed Black Panther cape and crown win Oscar for Best Costume Design

   

Leave a comment:

Your Name: