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Bioinspired scaffold design using a custom Voronoi path generator for extrusion-based 3D printing.
Federico Farina1,2,3, Michela Licciardello1,2, Lorenzo Moroni3
1Politecnico di Torino, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Torino, 10129, Italy. chiara.tondaturo@polito.it.
Biomaterials Science
|March 12, 2026
Summary
Researchers created a biomimetic Voronoi pattern using 3D printing and electrospinning to build better in vitro tissue models, specifically mimicking the lung's alveolar-capillary barrier for cell culture applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Natural biological systems exhibit complex, specialized patterns crucial for tissue and organ function.
- Engineered microenvironments require accurate biomimicry to support cell cultures and develop relevant biological models.
- Recreating physiological arrangements is key for advancing tissue engineering and in vitro studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for fabricating biomimetic tissue constructs using additive manufacturing.
- To create an in vitro model of the alveolar-capillary barrier by mimicking lung tissue organization.
- To integrate digital design with hybrid fabrication techniques for advanced tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Designed a Python-based software tool to generate Voronoi patterns.
- Utilized melt electrowriting (MEW) and fused deposition modelling (FDM) for extrusion-based additive manufacturing.
- Integrated printed Voronoi structures with electrospun nanofibrous membranes to create a multiscale construct.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated a multiscale construct combining additive manufacturing fidelity with electrospinning's ECM-like features.
- Cultured alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells on the construct to mimic the alveolar-capillary barrier in vitro.
- Achieved complete cell coverage and physiological-like organization under air-liquid-interface (ALI) conditions for 10 days.
Conclusions:
- Introduced a flexible, hybrid approach merging digital design and fabrication for in vitro tissue models.
- Demonstrated the potential of Voronoi patterns and hybrid fabrication for mimicking complex physiological environments.
- Developed a promising platform for creating advanced in vitro tissue models that closely resemble native tissue architecture and function.
