3D Co-Printability of PCL and Hybrid Hydrogels

Abstract

3D bioprinting has recently gained popularity due to its inherent capability of releasing cell-seeded and cell-laden biomaterials in a defined location to fabricate patient-specific scaffolds. Multi-nozzle extrusion-based 3D bio-printing allows the fabrication of various natural and synthetic biopolymers and the investigations of material to material and cell to material interactions, and eventually with a high percentage of cell viability and proliferation. Although natural hydrogels are demanding candidates for bio-printing because of their biocompatibility and high-water content, ensuring the scaffold’s fidelity with only natural hydrogel polymers is still challenging. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a potential synthetic bioprinting material that can provide improved mechanical properties for fabricated scaffolds, especially bone and cartilage scaffolds. In this paper, application-oriented structural viability such as 3D printability, shape fidelity, and mechanical properties of the scaffolds fabricated by PCL and other natural hydrogel materials will be investigated. Scaffolds will be fabricated using various natural hybrid hydrogels such as Alginate-Carboxymethyl Cellulose; Alginate-Carboxymethyl Cellulose-TEMPO NFC, and PCL simultaneously using various infill densities, applied pressures, print speeds, and toolpath patterns. Shape fidelities of printed scaffolds will be analyzed. This research can help identify optimum natural-synthetic polymer combinations based on the materials interaction, external and internal geometries, and mechanical properties for large-scale multi-material bio fabrication.