東北大学
学際科学フロンティア研究所

This lecture will explore the cutting-edge research in soft matter and 3D/4D printing technologies that are reshaping industries like food, healthcare, and robotics. By bridging polymer science and mechanical engineering, these innovations promise sustainable solutions to real-world challenges. Through examples from ongoing projects, including the development of cool and cold, frozen foods (COOLD FOOD) and novel long-term food preservation techniques, I will discuss the societal impact of these technologies and share strategies to encourage young researchers to drive impactful, interdisciplinary projects.

本講演では、食、医療、ロボティクスなどの分野を変革しつつあるソフトマターおよび3D/4Dプリンティング技術の最先端の研究を紹介します。高分子科学と機械工学を融合することで、これらの技術は実社会の課題に対する持続可能なソリューションを提供します。クールでコールドな凍結食材「COOLD FOOD」の開発や革新的な長期保存技術などの現在進行中のプロジェクトを例に、これらの技術が社会に与えるインパクトを論じ、若手研究者がインパクトある学際的プロジェクトを推進するための戦略を共有します。

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies have become the new standard for fabricating microscale devices encapsulating microchannels. Stereolithography (SL) printing has been increasingly used to create fluidic channels, but these devices are limited by the properties of photoresins and photoabsorbers. In contrast, extrusion printing, particularly direct ink write (DIW) 3D printing, allows for the diverse selection of printable resins and the post-integration of additional materials, enabling the fabrication of microfluidic systems that would be difficult to achieve with simple replica molding. In this presentation, we introduce DIW 3D printing as an alternative and versatile method for fabricating microchannels. We first discuss the printability of silicone elastomeric materials, such as room-temperature-vulcanizing (RTV) silicone and addition-curing two-part silicone. The printability of these resins can be readily enhanced by using surrounding liquid media, which is collectively termed embedded 3D printing. These elastomeric resins can be printed onto a diverse range of substrates, enabling the fabrication of microchannels with 3D interconnections. To illustrate the unique capability of DIW-based fabrication in microfluidics, we present the development of (1) flexible and stretchable devices and (2) untethered soft robots. Overall, DIW 3D printing offers unique opportunities for fabricating microfluidic devices with advanced functions. This technique will be beneficial for developing sensors and actuators that meet unique requirements (such as conformability, flexibility, and lightweight) that can be challenging to achieve with other fabrication methods.