Teodora Dimitrova

Research and development experimental work for my current scientific project on topic "3D printing of polymeric microneedles" as a biomedical device for transdermal delivery of theraputic compounds in theraputic concentrations.

• Created digital designs of microneedels with different levels of complexity and functionality by using the CAD program AutoDesk Inventor.
• Researching various material and geometrical design options for microneedles and the way those factors affect their functionality in transdermal delivery of theraputic agents.
• Prepared photopolymers with various combinations of different monomers and polymeric initiators. Tested their freezing point with different lenghts of UV light (required for MSLA 3D printer).
• Successfully 3D printed the previously designed models of polymeric microneedels out of store-bought plant-based polymer and lactic acid-based polymer by using 3D printers MSLA(stereolitographic) and FDM(extruding).
• Analyzed the obtained results form the two used 3D printing technologies by taking detailed photos of the 3D printed models of patches with microneedles arrays by using microscope camera.
• Created a presentation, a poster and a project abstract resume to showcase my work on this project in details.
• Took part in the Fifteenth scientific session "The young scientists in the world of polymers" in BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria on 06.06.24 and the XXII National conference of chemistry for undergraduates and PhDs at the Faculty of chemistry and pharmacy in Sofia university "St. Kl. Ohridski", Sofia, Bulgaria on 15.05.24.
• Won first prize at the contest for best poster on the Fifteenth scientific session "The young scientists in the world of polymers" in BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria on 06.06.24.