Spatial tuning of negative and positive Poisson's ratio in a multi-layer scaffold

While elastic modulus is tunable in tissue engineering scaffolds, it is substantially more challenging to tune the Poisson's ratio of scaffolds. In certain biological applications, scaffolds with a tunable Poisson's ratio may be more suitable for emulating the behavior of native tissue mechanics. Here, we design and fabricate a scaffold, which exhibits simultaneous negative and positive Poisson's ratio behavior. Custom-made digital micro-mirror device stereolithography was used to fabricate single- and multiple-layer scaffolds using polyethylene glycol-based biomaterial. These scaffolds are composed of pore structures having special geometries, and deformation mechanisms, which can be tuned to exhibit both negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) and positive Poisson's ratio (PPR) behavior in a side-to-side or top-to-bottom configuration. Strain measurement results demonstrate that analytical deformation models and simulations accurately predict the Poisson's ratios of both the NPR and PPR regions. This hybrid Poisson's ratio property can be imparted to any photocurable material, and potentially be applicable in a variety of biomedical applications. (C) 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.