Journal article
Combined multi-nozzle deposition and freeze casting process to superimpose two porous networks for hierarchical three-dimensional microenvironment
Biofabrication, v 6(1), pp 015007/1-015007/10
15 Jan 2014
PMID: 24429830
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
An engineered three-dimensional scaffold with hierarchical porosity and multiple niche microenvironments is produced using a combined multi-nozzle deposition-freeze casting technique. In this paper we present a process to fabricate a scaffold with improved interconnectivity and hierarchical porosity. The scaffold is produced using a two-stage manufacturing process which superimposes a printed porous alginate (Alg) network and a directionally frozen ceramic-polymer matrix. The combination of two processes, multi-nozzle deposition and freeze casting, provides engineering control of the microenvironment of the scaffolds over several length scales; including the addition of lateral porosity and the ratio of polymer to ceramic microstructures. The printed polymer scaffold is submerged in a ceramic-polymer slurry and subsequently, both structures are directionally frozen (freeze cast), superimposing and patterning both microenvironments into a single hierarchical architecture. An optional additional sintering step removes the organic material and densifies the ceramic phase to produce a well-defined network of open pores and a homogenous cell wall material composition. The techniques presented in this contribution address processing challenges, such as structure definition, reproducibility and fine adjustments of unique length scales, which one typically encounters when fabricating topological channels between longitudinal and transverse porous networks.
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Details
- Title
- Combined multi-nozzle deposition and freeze casting process to superimpose two porous networks for hierarchical three-dimensional microenvironment
- Creators
- Jessica E Snyder - Drexel UniversityPhilipp M Hunger - Drexel UniversityChengyang Wang - Drexel UniversityQudus Hamid - Drexel UniversityUlrike G K Wegst - Dartmouth CollegeWei Sun - Tsinghua University
- Publication Details
- Biofabrication, v 6(1), pp 015007/1-015007/10
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Number of pages
- 10
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000332844400007
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84896787116
- Other Identifier
- 991019167669304721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Engineering, Biomedical
- Materials Science, Biomaterials