Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST
In-situ plasma coating during 3D printing: A plasma ring source developed at Fraunhofer IST creates reactive bonding sites on the polymer surface directly during the extrusion process.
Custom-made chemically reactive surfaces produced via 3D printing
Project StrepTag3D
Efficient purification of complex biomolecules
For modern therapies, cells and proteins must be efficiently purified and selected from complex solutions such as blood. In practice, bead-based chromatography columns using agarose are frequently used for this purpose. However, these are relatively expensive, pressure-sensitive, and limit potential throughput due to their material properties. For future biotechnological and medical applications, therefore, more cost-effective, robust, and at the same time high-performance alternatives are needed.
In-situ plasma functionalization directly within the extrusion process
This is where the “StrepTag3D” project comes in. The goal is to use 3D printing to create cost-effective alternatives. A key challenge is that polymer surfaces are initially inert with respect to specific functionalization. To address this, Fraunhofer IST has developed a plasma source that can be integrated directly into the extrusion process of an FDM printer. In this way, reactive binding sites can be created on the polymer surface during the printing process using a solvent-free method, to which selective capture molecules can be coupled.
New prospects for biotechnological purification systems
When combined with the 3D-printed structures developed by BellaSeno and the purification protocols developed by IBA Lifesciences, this technology opens up new possibilities for purification, for example in biotechnological processes. In the future, these additively manufactured and functionalized structures will also enable systems for purification in therapeutic applications that are more cost-effective and sustainable to produce.
Insights into the project
Ring plasma source for surface activation of 3D-printed scaffolds synchronized with the printing process. Ideal for preparing the scaffolds for functional or biochemical coatings.
Detection of characteristic absorption bands in the coating deposited by plasma-assisted 3D printing using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy.
Detection of chemically reactive functional groups on a scaffold that was coated during the printing process.