A method for producing a three-dimensional (3D) object having excellent moldability and mechanical characteristics is provided. The method includes a molding step of irradiating a composition filled in the cavity of a mold with electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of from 0.01 m to 100 m, and molding the composition into the 3D object. The composition for molding a 3D object contains a solvent and at least one of a polymer and a polymerizable monomer.

Described herein is methacrylate copolymer derived from: a (meth)acrylate monomer comprising a second terminal olefin group; an alkyl methacrylate monomer wherein the alkyl group comprises 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a mono(meth)acrylate monomer comprising a low-surface-energy group, wherein the low-surface-energy group comprises a perfluorinated alkyl group, a perfluorinated polyether group, or a silicone group; and a RAFT agent. Such copolymers can be used to make liquid compositions, which may then be used to generate tooling for nanoimprint or transfer lithography.

In a membrane electrode assembly, electrode catalyst layers are provided respectively on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane. Each of the electrode catalyst layers includes polymer electrolyte and catalyst. In each of the electrode catalyst layers, the weight of a component of the polymer electrolyte contained in one surface facing the electrolyte membrane is twice as large as, or more than twice as large as the weight of the component of the polymer electrolyte contained in another surface.

A method of manufacturing a needle-like array sheet includes supplying a first needle-like array-forming solution consisting of an aqueous solution on a first mold having a first recess; interrupting drying in a wet state and forming a needle-like distal end part; supplying a second needle-like array-forming solution consisting of an aqueous solution on a second mold having a second recess; peeling a sheet part molding product, which is dried and solidified and has a protrusion corresponding to the second recess, after the sheet part molding product is formed; inserting the protrusion of the sheet part molding product into the first recess of the first mold; drying and solidifying the needle-like distal end part and the sheet part molding product after inserting the protrusion, bonding the needle-like distal end part and the protrusion of the sheet part molding product together, and forming a needle-like array sheet having the needle-like array.

Methods for producing a battery separator are provided. The methods include applying a liquid precursor material to a substrate to generate a coating layer on the substrate. The liquid precursor material includes a polymer, and a first solvent. The methods also include precipitating the polymer from the liquid precursor material in the coating layer to form a polymer membrane, and drying the polymer membrane to generate a battery separator.

Disclosed is a process whereby diverse classes of materials can be 3D printed and fully integrated into device components with active properties. An exemplary embodiment shows the seamless interweaving of five different materials, including (1) emissive semiconducting inorganic nanoparticles, (2) an elastomeric matrix, (3) organic polymers as charge transport layers, (4) solid and liquid metal leads, and (5) a UV-adhesive transparent substrate layer, demonstrating the integrated functionality of these materials. Further disclosed is a device for printing these fully integrated 3D devices.

A mandrel for molding polymer valve leaflets for heart valve prostheses is disclosed, including a body portion including an outer surface with ridges and contoured surfaces corresponding to the leaflets, the upper edge of the contoured surfaces corresponding to the free upper edge of the leaflets, and the mandrel including a mandrel extension above the body portion, and a gap extending around the mandrel between the upper edge of the contoured surface and the mandrel extension. A process for producing these polymer valve leaflets is also disclosed by dip coating with this mandrel and removing the polymer film created at the gap, preferably by applying suction or blowing thereto.

A method of forming a three-dimensional object is described. The method may use a polymerizable liquid, or resin, useful for the production by additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, comprising a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component that is different from said first component.

A method of forming a three-dimensional object is carried out by: (a) providing a carrier and an optically transparent member having a build surface, the carrier and the build surface defining a build region therebetween; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid including a mixture of (i) a light polymerizable liquid first component, and (ii) a second solidifiable component that is different from the first component; (c) irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer scaffold from the first component and also advancing the carrier away from the build surface to form a three-dimensional intermediate having the same shape as, or a shape to be imparted to, the three-dimensional object, and containing the second solidifiable component carried in the scaffold in unsolidified and/or uncured form; and (d) concurrently with or subsequent to the irradiating step, solidifying and/or curing the second solidifiable component in the three-dimensional intermediate to form the three-dimensional object.

An artificial structure for promoting microalgae growth includes a 3D-printed structure formed by positioning a printing surface on a movable stage of a 3D bioprinter in contact with a bio-ink that includes a mixture of a pre-polymer material with one or more of cellulose-derived nanocrystals (CNC), and microalgae cells. By projecting modulated light onto the printing surface while moving the stage, the bio-ink is progressively polymerized to define layers of an artificial coral structure with microalgae cells disposed thereon, where the artificial coral structure is configured to scatter light within the structure.