Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST

Cost-effective plastics are used for many medical disposable products. Atmospheric pressure plasma processes such as those used and developed at the Fraunhofer IST offer a variety of possibilities for changing the physical or chemical characteristics of surfaces so that they can be used for biomedical applications.

3D-printed biocompatible support structures known as scaffolds play an important role in the field of regenerative medicine. Together with seven project partners, the Fraunhofer IST is currently working on an advance in 3D printing that will allow for greater time and cost efficiency in producing the scaffolds while at the same time functionalizing them through atmospheric pressure plasma processes.

At the Hanover Trade Fair from April 24 – 28, 2017, the researchers will present the new plasma process on three-dimensional plastic components (Hall 2, Booth C16/C22). The low weight of the Disc Jet allows it to be mounted to a robot arm. For a better understanding of the modes of action, a monitor displays an illustration of different discharge forms.