Title:
High-Speed 3D Printing Method Takes Us One Step Closer to Printing Organs
Author:
Loukia Papadopoulos
Published:
Interesting Engineering, 7 March 2021
From the article:
3D printing technologies have evolved at an unbelievable pace resulting in everything from 3D printed meat, to 3D printed houses to even 3D printed guns. Many 3D printers have boasted that they may be the future of printed organs but we haven't gotten there just yet. Now, a new study out of the University of Buffalo may just be the key to 3D printed organs.
Also see:
Title:
Fast Stereolithography Printing of Large‐Scale Biocompatible Hydrogel Models
Authors:
Nanditha Anandakrishnan, Hang Ye, Zipeng Guo, [et al.]
Published:
Advanced Healthcare Materials, 15 February 2021
Abstract:
Large size cell‐laden hydrogel models hold great promise for tissue repair and organ transplantation, but their fabrication using 3D bioprinting is limited by the slow printing speed that can affect the part quality and the biological activity of the encapsulated cells. Here a fast hydrogel stereolithography printing (FLOAT) method is presented that allows the creation of a centimeter‐sized, multiscale solid hydrogel model within minutes. Through precisely controlling the photopolymerization condition, low suction force‐driven, high‐velocity flow of the hydrogel prepolymer is established that supports the continuous replenishment of the prepolymer solution below the curing part and the nonstop part growth. The rapid printing of centimeter‐sized hydrogel models using FLOAT is shown to significantly reduce the part deformation and cellular injury caused by the prolonged exposure to the environmental stresses in conventional 3D printing methods. Embedded vessel networks fabricated through multiscale printing allows media perfusion needed to maintain the high cellular viability and metabolic functions in the deep core of the large‐sized models. The endothelialization of this vessel network allows the establishment of barrier functions. Together, these studies demonstrate a rapid 3D hydrogel printing method and represent a first step toward the fabrication of large‐sized engineered tissue models.