Direct Ink Write Printing of Chitin-Based Gel Fibers with Customizable Fibril Alignment, Porosity, and Mechanical Properties for Biomedical Applications
Abstract
A fine control over different dimensional scales is a challenging target for material science since it could grant control over many properties of the final material. In this study, we developed a multivariable additive manufacturing process, direct ink write printing, to control different architectural features from the nano- to the millimeter scale during extrusion. Chitin-based gel fibers with a water content of around 1500% were obtained extruding a polymeric solution of chitin into a counter solvent, water, inducing instant solidification of the material. A certain degree of fibrillar alignment was achieved basing on the shear stress induced by the nozzle. In this study we took into account a single variable, the nozzle’s internal diameter (NID). In fact, a positive correlation between NID, fibril alignment, and mechanical resistance was observed. A negative correlation with NID was observed with porosity, exposed surface, and lightly with water content. No correlation was observed with maximum elongation (~50%), and the scaffold’s excellent biocompatibility, which appeared unaltered. Overall, a single variable allowed a customization of different material features, which could be further tuned, adding control over other aspects of the synthetic process. Moreover, this manufacturing could be potentially applied to any polymer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jun 16, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.3390/jfb13020083
Entities
People
- David J Kisailus
- Derek Lublin
- Devis Montroni
- Taige Hao
- Takeru Kobayashi
- Tomoko Yoshino
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Army Research Office