Fluorescent 3D Printed Rings, a Promise for Tomorrow’s Implants?

The term for discoveries made by chance is “serendipity”. Some of the most remarkable scientific breakthroughs include radioactivity, X-rays and the discovery of penicillin. Recently, this same serendipity led to a new breakthrough in additive manufacturing. Two researchers from the University of Oregon, chatting informally, came up with the idea of merging their skills to create fluorescent 3D printed rings for medical applications. These rings could pave the way for the development of a new type of luminous implant, facilitating tracking and monitoring once inserted into the body.

The researchers involved in this study are Paul Dalton, from the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, and Ramesh Jasti, from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oregon. Paul Dalton’s lab has been interested for some time in a printing technique called “Melt Electrowriting”, which can be used to create 3D parts for medical applications. Meanwhile, Ramesh Jasti’s laboratory is renowned for its work on “nanohoops”, carbon cylinders that emit light when exposed to ultraviolet light. Together, the researchers have succeeded in incorporating the ideal amount of fluorescent nanohoops into 3D printing material, producing long-lasting, biocompatible luminous structures.

The rings glow in ultraviolet light, emitting different colors depending on their size and structure.

What You Need to Know About the Fluorescent 3D Printed Rings

According to the researchers, similar structures with luminescent properties have been considered before, but never realized. In addition to requiring a specific 3D printing technique, most fluorescent molecules decompose after prolonged exposure to heat. This is where Jasti’s work stands out, as his “nanohoops” are stable, even at high temperatures. After conducting tests to verify that the nanohoops retain their properties when integrated into the 3D printing material, the researchers found that they lost neither strength nor stability. In addition, they confirmed that the addition of fluorescent molecules did not affect the material’s toxicity to cells, which is crucial for its use in biomedicine.