Journal
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
Volume 13, Issue 2, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/jfb13020083
Keywords
polysaccharide; biopolymer; direct ink write printing; additive manufacturing; porous; biocompatible; hydrogel; water content; exposed surface; mechanical properties
Funding
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Natural Materials and Systems Program [FA9550-15-1-0009]
- Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Microsystems Program [FA9550-20-1-0292]
- Army Research Office, Biochemistry Program [W911NF-20-1-0201]
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A multivariable additive manufacturing process, direct ink write printing, was developed to control different architectural features from the nano- to the millimeter scale. This process allows customization of material features through a single variable, the nozzle's internal diameter (NID).
A fine control over different dimensional scales is a challenging target for material science since it could grant control over many properties of the final material. In this study, we developed a multivariable additive manufacturing process, direct ink write printing, to control different architectural features from the nano- to the millimeter scale during extrusion. Chitin-based gel fibers with a water content of around 1500% were obtained extruding a polymeric solution of chitin into a counter solvent, water, inducing instant solidification of the material. A certain degree of fibrillar alignment was achieved basing on the shear stress induced by the nozzle. In this study we took into account a single variable, the nozzle's internal diameter (NID). In fact, a positive correlation between NID, fibril alignment, and mechanical resistance was observed. A negative correlation with NID was observed with porosity, exposed surface, and lightly with water content. No correlation was observed with maximum elongation (similar to 50%), and the scaffold's excellent biocompatibility, which appeared unaltered. Overall, a single variable allowed a customization of different material features, which could be further tuned, adding control over other aspects of the synthetic process. Moreover, this manufacturing could be potentially applied to any polymer.
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