Research Projects

The proposal aims to tackle the pressing environmental challenges associated with the widespread use of petroleum-based, non-recyclable thermoset resins in vat photopolymerization techniques such as Stereolithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP). These conventional resins, once cured, form permanent crosslinked networks that cannot be reprocessed or broken down, contributing to long-term plastic waste and sustainability issues in additive manufacturing. As 3D printing technologies continue to grow rapidly in various sectors, the environmental burden from these materials becomes increasingly significant. To address this, the proposal focuses on developing novel resin systems that are not only compatible with current 3D printing platforms but are also biodegradable, recyclable, and derived from renewable resources. The strategy involves the design and synthesis of photocurable monomers and crosslinkers based on biobased feedstocks such as vanillin, isosorbide, L-amino acids, and sugar derivatives. These renewable building blocks are chosen for their inherent chemical functionalities that can be modified to support photopolymerization and crosslinking. A key aspect of the proposed work is the develop biobased, biodegradable polymer crosslinker also incorporation of dynamic covalent chemistry—specifically reversible bond exchange reactions like imine exchange and transesterification—into the resin formulation. These chemistries allow the resulting polymer networks to be reprocessed, reshaped, or chemically degraded under mild conditions, offering a circular approach to resin use. By integrating these principles, the project seeks to create next-generation resins that meet both performance and environmental criteria, thus contributing to the advancement of sustainable 3D printing technologies.