3D printed membrane structures

In this project, Prof. Wessling's group deals with the production of complex geometries for membrane applications. The basic triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) offer an unsurpassed surface-to-volume ratio, representing the next evolutionary step after the conventional hollow fiber membranes. The mathematically optimized structures can be adapted fluid dynamically to a wide range of possible applications. Due to their many undercuts and widely integrated architecture, the production of these structures is only possible by means of additive manufacturing ("3D printing"). The main focus of the Wessling Group is the production of artificial lungs using these structures. Blood rheological requirements as well as clinical challenges (sterility, dead volume size) have to be considered.