Embodiments of the present invention describe a method for manufacture of a gel material comprising the steps of: forming a gel sheet by dispensing a gel precursor mixture; allowing gelation to occur to the gel precursor mixture; and cooling the formed gel with a cooling system to control reaction rate.

Embodiments of the present invention describe a method for manufacture of a gel material comprising the steps of: forming a gel sheet by dispensing a gel precursor mixture; allowing gelation to occur to the gel precursor mixture; and cooling the formed gel with a cooling system to control reaction rate.

An expansion device, including: an installation unit in which a thermally expandable sheet is disposed; an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the thermally expandable sheet placed on the installation unit with light; and a control unit configured to perform processes described below, wherein after an expansion process to expand the thermally expandable sheet by irradiating the thermally expandable sheet placed on the installation unit with light by the irradiation unit, a cooling process to cool the thermally expandable sheet by a predetermined cooling unit while maintaining the state in which the thermally expandable sheet is placed on the installation unit.

An expansion device, including: an installation unit in which a thermally expandable sheet is disposed; an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the thermally expandable sheet placed on the installation unit with light; and a control unit configured to perform processes described below, wherein after an expansion process to expand the thermally expandable sheet by irradiating the thermally expandable sheet placed on the installation unit with light by the irradiation unit, a cooling process to cool the thermally expandable sheet by a predetermined cooling unit while maintaining the state in which the thermally expandable sheet is placed on the installation unit.

A method of producing a cryogel-based multicompartment 3D scaffold is herein disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a first frozen polymeric layer on a refrigerated support kept at subzero temperature; b) providing subsequent polymeric layers to obtain a stack of polymeric layers by possibly modulating the subzero temperature of the refrigerated support; c) optionally incubating the final polymeric structure at subzero temperature; and d) placing the produced cryogel at a temperature above 0° C., the method being characterized in that each subsequent layer i) is deposited on the previous one after freezing of this latter; ii) is deposited on the previous one before the complete polymerization of this latter; and iii) is deposited with a temperature higher than the freezing temperature of the previously deposited layer. Cryogel scaffolds obtained from the method of the invention are also disclosed.

A method of producing a cryogel-based multicompartment 3D scaffold is herein disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a first frozen polymeric layer on a refrigerated support kept at subzero temperature; b) providing subsequent polymeric layers to obtain a stack of polymeric layers by possibly modulating the subzero temperature of the refrigerated support; c) optionally incubating the final polymeric structure at subzero temperature; and d) placing the produced cryogel at a temperature above 0° C., the method being characterized in that each subsequent layer i) is deposited on the previous one after freezing of this latter; ii) is deposited on the previous one before the complete polymerization of this latter; and iii) is deposited with a temperature higher than the freezing temperature of the previously deposited layer. Cryogel scaffolds obtained from the method of the invention are also disclosed.

A method for manufacturing a mechanoreception fabric for incorporation into a garment or item of apparel sets a liquid substrate to a fabric weave to produce a plurality of protuberances in graticulate array and spaced apart across a surface of the fabric. The plurality of protuberances includes pyramidal nodes, each independent and separate from other nodes, not less than 1 mm apart at the base and not more than 5 mm apart at each apex and 1.5 mm in height. Because the nodes are separated and not in contact with each other, the fabric produced is still stretchable and wearable when incorporated into an item of apparel despite the nodes having a hardness of between Shore A 60 and 80.

Disclosed herein is a cure tool for managing a thermal cycle of a composite component. The cure tool, in certain examples, includes a base plate comprising a work surface, for supporting the composite component, and a back surface opposite the work surface. The cure tool also includes one or more fins protruding from the back surface of the base plate and in thermal communication with the base plate. The cure tool additionally includes one or more heating elements coupled to each of the one or more fins and configured to selectively provide heat to the base plate.

Disclosed herein is a cure tool for managing a thermal cycle of a composite component. The cure tool, in certain examples, includes a base plate comprising a work surface, for supporting the composite component, and a back surface opposite the work surface. The cure tool also includes one or more fins protruding from the back surface of the base plate and in thermal communication with the base plate. The cure tool additionally includes one or more heating elements coupled to each of the one or more fins and configured to selectively provide heat to the base plate.

The object of the invention is a print head for three-dimensional printing comprising an extrusion assembly (1) functionally coupled to a drive assembly (3), and a nozzle assembly (2), functionally coupled to the extrusion assembly (1), providing filament (10) transfer, wherein there is a cooling assembly (18) disposed between the extrusion assembly (1) and the drive assembly (2), containing a fluid cooling system, comprising an inlet (15), an outlet (17) and a system of cooling ducts (14) disposed inside the cooling assembly (18), distributing the cooling medium (11), providing maintenance of the preset temperature of the extrusion assembly (1) and the drive assembly (3). The object of the invention is also a print head assembly.