Bio-Inspired Materials: Exhibited Characteristics and Integration Degree in Bio-Printing Operations

Abstract

In the last decade, additive manufacturing techniques, commonly known under the term "3d printing" have seen constantly increasing use in various scientific fields. The nature of these fabrication techniques that operate under a layer-by-layer material deposition principle features several de facto advantages, compared to traditional manufacturing techniques. These advantages range from the precise attribution of pre-designed complex shapes to the use of a variety of materials as raw materials in the process. However, its major strong point is the ability to fabricate custom shapes with interconnected lattices, and porous interiors that traditional manufacturing techniques cannot properly attribute. This potential is being largely exploited in the biomedical field in sectors like bio-printing, where such structures are being used for direct implantation into the human body. To meet the strict requirements that such procedures dictate, the fabricated items need to be made out of biomaterials exhibiting properties like biocompatibility, bioresorbability, biodegradability, and appropriate mechanical properties. This review aims not only to list the most important biomaterials used in these techniques but also to bring up their pros and cons in meeting the aforementioned characteristics that are vital in their use.

Silk Fibroin Bioink for 3D Printing in Tissue Regeneration: Controlled Release of MSC extracellular Vesicles

“…Among the different techniques employed for scaffold preparation, 3D printing is promising as it allows production of complex scaffolds with intricately sophisticated biomimetic 3D structures capable of promoting functional tissue regeneration [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Specifically, during 3D printing, thin layers of a polymer, natural or synthetic in origin, are deposited in succession to form a 3D structure [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ] with a fully interconnected porous network that allows cell-to-cell interactions and efficient transport and exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and metabolites [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Preferably, the employed materials should be cytocompatible, mechanically compatible with the target tissue, and biodegradable with a rate that matches neotissue formation so that the scaffold fully degrades only after the regenerated tissue has been formed [ 12 ].…”

Biodegradable Scaffolds for Vascular Regeneration Based on Electrospun Poly(L-Lactide-co-Glycolide)/Poly(Isosorbide Sebacate) Fibers

“…However, its rapid biodegradation (6–8 weeks) and low mechanical properties limit its functionality [ 7 ]. Another polyester, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), is a beneficial biomaterial due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low cost, but it is known to release acidic by-products when it degrades [ 8 , 9 ]. To improve the performance of PGA and PLA, glycolide units can be co-polymerized with L-lactide units, resulting in the formation of poly(L-lactide- co -glycolide) (PLGA) [ 10 ].…”

Fabrication and Thermal Performance of a Polymer-Based Flexible Oscillating Heat Pipe via 3D Printing Technology

“…Many thermoplastic polymer materials were applied for FDM printing, such as polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), etc. Due to its fast production, low cost, and capability to create complex parts, FDM technology is widely used in the automotive industry, shipbuilding, aerospace, regenerative medicine, and other fields [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. In this work, a 3D-printed flexible oscillating heat pipe (FOHP) with a size of 87 mm × 25 mm × 5 mm was designed and fabricated using thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) as the raw material, according to the technical features of 3D printing rapid manufacturing.…”