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3D-Reactive printing of engineered alginate inks
Lorenzo Sardelli1, Marta Tunesi1, Francesco Briatico-Vangosa1
1Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy. paola.petrini@polimi.it.
Soft Matter
|September 15, 2021
Summary
This study introduces 3D-reactive printing for alginate bioinks, enabling precise control over crosslinking kinetics. This novel approach produces alginate fibers with specific properties without post-printing additives or crosslinking steps.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- 3D Printing Technology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Alginate is a widely used bioink component due to its crosslinking and viscoelastic properties.
- Conventional alginate 3D printing often requires additives, post-printing crosslinking, or coextrusion with crosslinkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel 3D-reactive printing approach for alginate-based bioinks.
- To achieve controlled crosslinking kinetics and printing time for unaltered ink composition.
- To identify suitable alginate formulations for enhanced printability.
Main Methods:
- Utilized insoluble calcium salts (CaCO3) for dynamic crosslinking of alginate solutions.
- Monitored fiber printability and internal microstructure during ink gelation.
- Employed rheological tests to determine ink properties prior to 3D printing.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful 3D-reactive printing of alginate fibers with predetermined properties.
- Achieved dynamic modification of alginate microstructure and viscoelasticity over time.
- Eliminated the need for post-extrusion crosslinking and additional additives.
Conclusions:
- 3D-reactive printing offers a new paradigm for fabricating alginate-based constructs.
- This method allows for precise control over material properties during the printing process.
- The developed approach enhances the versatility and efficiency of alginate biofabrication.
