Development of Bio-Composite Materials for 3D Printing Using Milk Proteins
AssigneeWiSys Technology Foundation, Inc.
InventorsJohn Obielodan, Tsunghsueh Wu
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Abstract
A composite material includes biodegradable and/or renewable materials such as purified milk protein recovered as a byproduct in cheese making processes. The result is a material suitable for three-dimensional (3D) printing and extrusion based polymer processing, with improved properties but that is still environmentally friendly. Purified milk protein may be used to produce composite thermoplastic materials or resins. Additional chemical modification may improve the blending of purified milk protein.
Claims20
A composition of a thermoplastic material comprising:
- a first amount of purified polylactic acid;
- and
- a second amount of purified milk protein blended in the purified polylactic acid;
- wherein the purified milk protein is between 0.001 and 20 weight percent.
A method for producing a composition of a thermoplastic material comprising:
- mixing a first amount of purified polylactic acid with a second amount of purified milk protein blended in the purified polylactic acid wherein the purified milk protein is between 0.001 and 20 weight percent;
- and
- heating the composition of the first amount of purified polylactic acid with the second amount of purified milk protein blended in the purified polylactic acid to liquefy the composition.
A composition of a photocurable liquid resin comprising:
- a first amount of photopolymer resin;
- and
- a second amount of purified milk protein blended in the purified polylactic acid
- wherein the purified milk protein is between 0.001 and 20 weight percent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.