3D Bioplotter Research Papers

Tissue engineering, based on a combination of 3D printing, biomaterials blending and stem cell technology, offers the potential to establish customized, transplantable autologous implants using a patient‘s own cells. Graphene, as a two-dimensional (2D) version of carbon, has shown great potential for tissue engineering. Here, we describe a novel combination of graphene with 3D printed alginate (Alg)-based scaffolds for human adipose stem cell (ADSC) support and osteogenic induction. Alg printing was enabled through addition of gelatin (Gel) that was removed after printing, and the 3D structure was then coated with graphene oxide (GO). GO was chemically reduced with a biocompatible…

In recent years, tissue engineering has experienced significant advancements, mostly driven by the emergence of additive manufacturing technologies and the integration of biomaterials and cells. This advanced technique enables the creation of intricate structures with diverse components and properties, specifically designed for use in biomedical applications. The primary benefit of this technology is its ability to be customised, which helps minimise post-operative difficulties for patients with orthopaedic diseases and those undergoing tissue transplants. For this purpose, the essential components can be synthesised by the patient’s own cells. However, there are still other obstacles that need to be addressed in order…

Scaffolds manufacturing for tissue engineering is an elaborate process since to fabricate a functional tissue, the engineered structures have to mimic the extracellular matrix. The key goal is to produce 3D scaffolds composed of macro- and micro- scale structures. The combination of different production technologies, as 3D bioprinting (BP) and electrospinning (ES), enables the fabrication of multiscale structures but, above all, the biomaterial choice is crucial to apply these technologies. Hydrogels based of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water soluble and biodegradable polymer, are able to create a highly hydrated environment that promotes cell attachment and proliferation, with limited mechanical properties.…

3D-printed hydrogel scaffolds biomimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) are key in cartilage tissue engineering as they can enhance the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) through the presence of active nanoparticles such as graphene oxide (GO). Here, biomimetic hydrogels were developed by cross-linking alginate, gelatin, and chondroitin sulfate biopolymers in the presence of GO as a bioactive filler, with excellent processability for developing bioactive 3D printed scaffolds and for the bioprinting process. A novel bioink based on our hydrogel with embedded human MSCs presented a cell survival rate near 100% after the 3D bioprinting process. The effects of processing…

Three-dimensional (3D) functional graphene-based architecture with superior electrical conductivity and good mechanical strength has promising applications in energy storage and electrics. Viscoelasticity-adjustable inks make it possible to achieve desired 3D architectures with interconnected and continuous interior networks by micro-extrusion printing. In this work, ultra-low-concentration graphene oxide (GO) inks of ~ 15 mg·ml−1 have been obtained and demonstrated in direct 3D printing with a facile cross-linking (direct ink writing). The rheological behavior of the GO strategy by cations, which is the lowest concentration to achieve direct ink writing inks, could be adjusted from 1×104 to 1×105 Pa·s−1 with different concentrations of cations due to strong…

Aerogels were listed among the top ten emerging technologies in chemistry by IUPAC in 2022. Their record-breaking properties sparked the emergence of a thriving insulation market, but solutions are sought to promote additional applications. A 3D assembly process based on direct ink writing of “aerogel-in-aerogel” nanocomposites is presented. The printed polyimide-silica aerogels are non-brittle (E = 6.7 MPa) with a super-insulating thermal conductivity (20.3 mW m−1 K−1) and high thermal stability (T5wt% 447 °C). In addition, they display excellent low-loss dielectric properties and microwave transmission over all relevant communication bands and can be functionalized for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. The high shape-fidelity printing, combined…

Using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, a 3D calcium alginate/graphene oxide (3D CA/GO) adsorbent, with a hierarchical macroporous structure, was successfully constructed. Owing to the optimized construction process, the 3D CA/GO showed an enhanced adsorption capacity (490.2 mg/g at pH = 3.0) for lead (Pb(II)) in aqueous solution, which was two times higher than reported in the literature). Meanwhile, the selective adsorption ratio of 3D CA/GO for Pb(II) reached 99.8% when positive ions occurred. In addition, after eight adsorption–desorption cycles, the adsorption capacity did not experience a significant decrease and the structure remained stable. Meanwhile, the adsorbed Pb(II) could be eluted…

Emulsion gels have a wide range of applications. We report on a facile and versatile method to produce stable emulsion gels with tunable rheological properties. Gel formation is triggered by subjecting a mixture containing aqueous colloidal particle (CP) suspensions and water-immiscible liquids to intense turbulence, generated by low frequency (20 kHz) ultrasound or high-pressure homogenization. Through systematic investigations, requisite gel formation criteria are established with respect to both formulation and processing, including ratio/type of liquid pairs, CP properties, and turbulence conditions. Based on the emulsion microstructure and rheological properties, inter-droplet bridging and CP void-filling are proposed as universal stabilization mechanisms.…

The ability to produce constructs with a high control over the bulk geometry and internal architecture has situated 3D printing as an attractive fabrication technique for scaffolds. Various designs and inks are actively investigated to prepare scaffolds for different tissues. In this work, we prepared 3D printed composite scaffolds comprising polycaprolactone (PCL) and various amounts of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at 0.5, 1, and 3 wt.%. We employed a two-step fabrication process to ensure an even mixture and distribution of the rGO sheets within the PCL matrix. The inks were prepared by creating composite PCL-rGO films through solvent evaporation casting…

Scaffolds based on bioconjugated hydrogels are attractive for tissue engineering because they can partly mimic human tissue characteristics. For example, they can further increase their bioactivity with cells. However, most of the hydrogels present problems related to their processability, consequently limiting their use in 3D printing to produce tailor-made scaffolds. The goal of this work is to develop bioconjugated hydrogel nanocomposite inks for 3D printed scaffold fabrication through a micro-extrusion process having improved both biocompatibility and processability. The hydrogel is based on a photocrosslinkable alginate bioconjugated with both gelatin and chondroitin sulfate in order to mimic the cartilage extracellular matrix,…

Flexible graphene film can be quickly realized by three-dimensional printing (3D printing), which has the potential in functional electronic devices. With a trace of cobalt ions as crosslinker, the graphene oxide sol can be converted into 3D printed ink, overcoming the disadvantage of insufficient viscosity of pure graphene oxide ink. The various graphene architectures were successfully obtained by 3D printing, moreover, graphene/polyaniline composites were obtained by electropolymerization. The specific capacitance of graphene/polyaniline electrode achieved up to 238 F/g at the current density of 0.5 A/g, which was much higher than that of graphene electrode (35 F/g).

Here, we show that graphene oxide (GO) dispersions exhibit unique viscoelastic properties, making them a new class of soft materials. The fundamental insights accrued here provide the basis for the development of fabrication protocols for these two-dimensional soft materials, in a diverse array of processing techniques.