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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Printing Thermoresponsive Reverse Molds for the Creation of Patterned Two-component Hydrogels for 3D Cell Culture
Published on: July 10, 2013
Hydrogel Production Platform with Dynamic Movement Using Photo-Crosslinkable/Temperature Reversible Chitosan Polymer
Jeong Wook Seo1, Su Ryon Shin2, Yeon Joo Park3
1Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, KU Convergence Science and Technology Institute, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Three-dimensional (3D) printing using hydrogel has made great strides when it comes to mimicking 3D artificial tissue in the medical field. However, most structures do not mimic the dynamic movement of the tissues. Without imitating dynamic movements, there are limitations on the extent to which the proper implementation of the tissue's own functions can be achieved.
Method:
In this study, we intend to present an approach to solving this problem using hydroxybutyl methacrylated chitosan (HBC-MA), a photo-crosslinkable/temperature reversible chitosan polymer. In addition, stereolithography-3D (SLA-3D) printing technology was used, which is more likely to mimic the complex microstructure. As a control, a 3D structure made with pristine poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEG-DMA) was created, and a 4D structure was prepared by adding HBC-MA to poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEG-DMAP) resin.
Results:
HBC-MA caused the expansion of water into the polymer matrix at low temperature, and the 4D structure resulted in expansion of the polymer volume, generating dynamic movement due to the expansion of water. Conversely, as the temperature rose, deswelling occurred, followed by a decrease in the volume, showing a shape memory property of returning to the existing structure. Morphological, swelling, and mechanical analysis further confirmed the principle of dynamic movement. In addition, parameters were provided through calculation of the bending ratio angle (θ).
Conclusion:
Through this, it is suggested that HBC-MA can be applied as a core polymer for SLA-4D printing, and has high potential for realizing the dynamic movement of tissue.
