Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of compositions and methods relating to three-dimensional (3D) printing. Some embodiments are directed to a composition comprising a polymer with one or more dormant functional groups. According to some embodiments, the polymer may be formed through a controlled radical polymerization method. Some embodiments are directed to a composition comprising a polymer with one or more pendent crosslinkable groups. In some cases, the composition may be used as an “ink” for 3D printing. For example, the composition may be injected into a medium. The composition and/or medium may, in some embodiments, further comprise an initiator and/or a crosslinker. After injection of the composition into the medium, the one or more dormant functional groups and/or one or more pendent crosslinkable groups may be activated, and the polymer may be crosslinked. In certain cases, the crosslinked polymer may be removed from the medium to produce a freestanding three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of compositions and methods relating to three-dimensional (3D) printing. Some embodiments are directed to a composition comprising a polymer with one or more dormant functional groups. According to some embodiments, the polymer may be formed through a controlled radical polymerization method. Some embodiments are directed to a composition comprising a polymer with one or more pendent crosslinkable groups. In some cases, the composition may be used as an “ink” for 3D printing. For example, the composition may be injected into a medium. The composition and/or medium may, in some embodiments, further comprise an initiator and/or a crosslinker. After injection of the composition into the medium, the one or more dormant functional groups and/or one or more pendent crosslinkable groups may be activated, and the polymer may be crosslinked. In certain cases, the crosslinked polymer may be removed from the medium to produce a freestanding three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a first component and a second component. The first component of the prosthetic device includes a polymer composite configured as an articular surface and having a wear rate of less than approximately 10?7 mm3/Nm. The polymer composite includes a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer comprises at least 10 weight percent of the polymer composite. The second component of the prosthetic device is configured to be implanted on a bone and includes a region of porosity that is customized for bone in-growth in a specific joint of a patient.

Abstract: A wear resistant lubricious composite includes a synthetic resin binder, a plurality of transfer film forming particles, and a plurality of hard nanoparticles. The hard nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal carbides and metal nitride nanoparticles. A method of forming wear resistant lubricious composite articles includes the steps of providing a liquid phase synthetic resin precursor, adding a plurality of transfer film forming particles and a plurality of hard nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of metal oxide, metal carbide and metal nitride nanoparticles to the resin precursor to form a mixture, adding a hardener to the mixture, and curing the mixture.

Abstract: A composite material having superior tribological properties includes a first polymer being a transfer film forming polymer and a second polymer mixed with the first polymer. The first polymer is at least 10 weight % of the composite and the composite provides a wear rate of <10?7 mm3/Nm and an average friction coefficient of said composite no more than 0.15. The first polymer can be PTFE and the second polymer a polyaryletherketone (PEEK). A method of forming composites includes the steps of providing a plurality of transfer film forming polymer particles and second polymer particles, and molding or extruding the particles at a temperature sufficient to allow softening and mobilization of at least one of the transfer film forming polymer particles and the plurality of strengthening phase polymer particles to form an interconnected network, wherein the composite formed provides a wear rate of <10?7 mm3/Nm.

Abstract: A high strength multi-layer polymeric article having a low wear surface includes a base polymer layer, and a polymer composite capping layer disposed on the base polymer layer. The capping layer includes a first polymer including a transfer film forming polymer, and a second polymer different from the first polymer for strengthening this polymer composite mixed with the first polymer. The first polymer provides at least 10 weight % of the composite capping layer. A transition layer composite including the first and second polymer is interposed between the capping layer and the base polymer layer, at least a portion of the transition layer providing a non-constant first or second polymer concentration. A wear rate of the article is <10?7 mm3/Nm. The first polymer can be PTFE and the second polymer can be a polyaryletherketone (PEEK).