Development of bovine serum albumin-based resins for additive manufacturing via vat photopolymerization

Bio-sourced and biodegradable polymers for additive manufacturing could enable the rapid fabrication of parts for a broad spectrum of applications ranging from healthcare to aerospace. Herein, we report a resin for vat photopolymerization based on the protein, bovine serum albumin, using a commercially available laser-scanning stereolithographic apparatus (SLA) printer. Methacrylated bovine serum albumin (MA-BSA) was synthesized and formulated into aqueous resins that were used to print complex 3D objects with a resolution comparable to a commercially available resin. The MA-BSA resins were characterized by rheometry to determine the viscosity and the cure rate, as both parameters can ultimately be used to predict the printability of the resin. In the first step of patterning these materials, the MA-BSA resin was 3D printed, and in the second step, the printed construct was thermally cured to denature the globular protein and increase the intermolecular noncovalent interactions. These resins are expected to be compatible with other vat photopolymerization processes, including digital light projection (DLP) and continuous liquid interface production (CLIP).