Hydrogel Polyester Scaffolds via Direct-Ink-Writing of Ad Hoc Designed Photocurable Macromonomer

Synthetic, degradable macromonomers have been developed to serve as ink for 3D printing technologies based on direct-ink-writing. The macromonomers are purposely designed to be cross-linkable under the radical mechanism, to impart hydrophilicity to the final material, and to have rheological properties matching the printer's requirements. The suitable viscosity enables the ink to be printed at room temperature, in absence of organic solvents, and to be cross-linked to manufacture soft 3D scaffolds that show no indirect cytotoxicity and have a hydration capacity of up to 100% their mass and a compressive modulus in the range of 0.4-2 MPa.

Automated summary

This article introduces the development of degradable ink for 3D printing. The ink is designed for direct-ink-writing technology, with suitable viscosity and rheological properties, and can be used to manufacture soft 3D scaffolds with no cytotoxicity and high hydration capacity.