Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: DSM Somos | Subject: WaterShed 11120
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 19 September 2005
Transparent resin breathes life into
research
DSM Somos has provided a novel material to help researchers at the University of Delaware model the structure and performance of human lungs.
DSM Somos has provided a novel material to help researchers at the University of Delaware model the structure and performance of human lungs It is hoped that the research project, funded by Philip Morris, will be used to create new medical delivery systems for illnesses such as asthma and, potentially, new types of drugs such as a needleless form of insulin
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 31 Oct 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
SL resin passes cast pattern test
Chicago-area service bureau Express Pattern used Somos WaterShed 11120 stereolithography resin to produce investment cast patterns resulting in a metal part yield of close to 95%.
Study confirms suitability of SL resin
Chicago-area service bureau Express Pattern used Somos WaterShed 11120 stereolithography resin to produce investment cast patterns resulting in a metal part yield of close to 95%.
Under the direction of Dr Ajay L Prasad, the university is attempting to document the details of the breathing process and, specifically, how air travels once inside the lungs.
To create the models of the lungs themselves, the research team turned to the DSM Somos resin, WaterShed 11120.
"The basic geometry of the conducting portion of the lungs, though fairly static from one human to the next, is quite complicated", says graduate student researcher Frank Fresconi.
In addition to being able to capture a high degree of structural detail, the lung models also need to be transparent so as to allow lasers to illuminate the flow of liquid through the different regions while a high-resolution camera simultaneously captures the process on film.
DSM Somos WaterShed 11120 was the resin of choice to create the models.
WaterShed's transparency allows excellent visualisation of the fluid flow needed for data gathering and, as an added benefit, the resin's water resistant properties help the models tolerate extended periods of fluid flow during experiments.
WaterShed's ABS-like properties, including high stiffness and high elongation at break, also allow for the different parts of the model to be snapped together.
The final model was created from a number of different pieces joined together to create the highest degree of anatomical detail possible.
University researchers have been pleased with the results.
"Without a stereolithography model allowing us to create an exact replica of the conducting region of the lungs - and the performance properties of Somos WaterShed in particular - we would not be able to execute this experiment as designed", says Fresconi.
"We're thrilled with the data being collected".
The research project is slated to go through several more phases beyond the data collection before final results are published. Request a free brochure from DSM Somos ...
• DSM Somos: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
