Fabrication of Complex Hydrogel Materials by Utilizing Microfluidics and Micromolding

Abstract

Here, we present microfluidic methods to fabricate complex hydrogel structures for 3D tissue or organ-like cell structures in vitro. First, a microfluidic system to continuously synthesize chemically and physically anisotropic Ca–alginate hydrogel microfibers is proposed to enable the guidance of cell proliferation and differentiation. Next, the microfluidic preparation methods for yarn-ball-shape hydrogel particles and extremely-small hydrogel microspheres. Finally, a newly developed micro-molding and bonding method for hydrogel micro-patterned plates is reported.

Composite Hydrogels with Tunable Anisotropic Morphologies and Mechanical Properties

“…Since many tissues, e.g., striated muscle, 6 cartilage, 7 or cornea 8 , to name just a few examples, have anisotropic hierarchical morphologies, there is a growing interest in developing approaches for the fabrication of anisotropic hydrogels that exhibit direction-dependent pore shape, microstructure, stiffness, and conductivity. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] In tissue engineering, aside from biomimicry, anisotropic pore shape and hydrogel structure, in general, are important for cell guidance 22 and differentiation, 23 as well as mass transport of biofactors and nutrients throughout the scaffold. 19,24,25 In bioseparation, control over the shape anisotropy of hydrogel pores may enhance the selectivity of the filtration of biological species and/or minimize the pressure drop across the matrix.…”