1.8—From Cellulose to Smart Printing: Temperature-Responsive Rheology Modifiers for Ultrasound 3D Hydrogels

This technology utilizes sound waves and smart, plant-based materials to 3D print hydrogels with incredible speed and precision, without touching or heating the entire material. By using special cellulose-based ingredients that respond to temperature, it can shape soft materials on demand, even through opaque surfaces. This makes it ideal for next-generation applications, such as tissue engineering, building soft robots, drug delivery, or repairing materials within the body, where precise control over hydrogel structure and mechanics is crucial. With scalable, sustainable materials and broad application potential, this innovation is primed for commercialization in the next wave of advanced manufacturing startups.

Inventor: Andrew P. Goodwin (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering)

Potential Applications: Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing