Advanced Biomaterials for 3D Printing via a Synergistic Dual-Photopolymer Design

Abstract

3D-printing technology has transformed materials science, enabling the design of tailor-made biomaterials for medical applications. Vat photopolymerization techniques such as stereolithography and digital light processing have been crucial in the manufacturing of personalized biomedical devices and scaffolds with advanced functionality and safety profiles. Recently, a synergistic dual-photopolymer formulation design, combining biodegradable photopolymers of varying chain length or architecture, has emerged as an efficient yet convenient strategy for addressing limitations in the mechanical properties and viscosities of 3D-printing biomaterials. This Spotlight on Applications critically examines representative dual-photopolymer formulations in producing 3D-printed biodegradable elastomers and hydrogels for medical devices and tissue scaffolds, discusses the advantages and limitations of current systems with focus given to their mechanical properties and degradability, and eventually aims to offer insight into the future direction of this approach in the 3D printing of advanced biomaterials.