Polyethylene Glycol and Polyethylene Glycol/Hydroxyapatite Constructs Produced through Stereo-Thermal Lithography

Stereo-thermal lithography (STLG) is an innovative system that uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation and near-infrared (IR) radiation simultaneously to initiate the curing reaction in a liquid solution, containing both UV and IR photoinitiator. In this research work, poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) and PEGDMA/hydroxyapatite (HA) constructs were produced using the STLG system, operating in the UV mode, and characterised regarding the morphology and water absorption properties. Constructs were produced with different geometries and shapes by introducing several variations in the processing parameters, such as the irradiation time and the layer thickness. Results show the ability of the system to produce constructs at the micro-scale with very good definition and resolution. The irradiation time is the critical processing parameter, strongly affecting the water absorption and the structural integrity of the constructs.

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