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Bartolf-Kopp M, Jungst T. The Past, Present, and Future of Tubular Melt Electrowritten Constructs to Mimic Small Diameter Blood Vessels - A Stable Process? Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2400426. [PMID: 38607966 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Melt Electrowriting (MEW) is a continuously growing manufacturing platform. Its advantage is the consistent production of micro- to nanometer fibers, that stack intricately, forming complex geometrical shapes. MEW allows tuning of the mechanical properties of constructs via the geometry of deposited fibers. Due to this, MEW can create complex mechanics only seen in multi-material compounds and serve as guiding structures for cellular alignment. The advantage of MEW is also shown in combination with other biotechnological manufacturing methods to create multilayered constructs that increase mechanical approximation to native tissues, biocompatibility, and cellular response. These features make MEW constructs a perfect candidate for small-diameter vascular graft structures. Recently, studies have presented fascinating results in this regard, but is this truly the direction that tubular MEW will follow or are there also other options on the horizon? This perspective will explore the origins and developments of tubular MEW and present its growing importance in the field of artificial small-diameter vascular grafts with mechanical modulation and improved biomimicry and the impact of it in convergence with other manufacturing methods and how future technologies like AI may influence its progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bartolf-Kopp
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Biofabrication and Functional Materials, University of Würzburg and KeyLab Polymers for Medicine of the Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tomasz Jungst
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Biofabrication and Functional Materials, University of Würzburg and KeyLab Polymers for Medicine of the Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Orthopedics, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Saiz PG, Reizabal A, Vilas-Vilela JL, Dalton PD, Lanceros-Mendez S. Materials and Strategies to Enhance Melt Electrowriting Potential. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312084. [PMID: 38447132 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Melt electrowriting (MEW) is an emerging additive manufacturing (AM) technology that enables the precise deposition of continuous polymeric microfibers, allowing for the creation of high-resolution constructs. In recent years, MEW has undergone a revolution, with the introduction of active properties or additional functionalities through novel polymer processing strategies, the incorporation of functional fillers, postprocessing, or the combination with other techniques. While extensively explored in biomedical applications, MEW's potential in other fields remains untapped. Thus, this review explores MEW's characteristics from a materials science perspective, emphasizing the diverse range of materials and composites processed by this technique and their current and potential applications. Additionally, the prospects offered by postprinting processing techniques are explored, together with the synergy achieved by combining melt electrowriting with other manufacturing methods. By highlighting the untapped potentials of MEW, this review aims to inspire research groups across various fields to leverage this technology for innovative endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula G Saiz
- Macromolecular Chemistry Research Group (LABQUIMAC) Department of Physical Chemistry Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Ander Reizabal
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials Applications, and Nanostructures, Bldg. Martina Casiano, UPV/EHU Science Park Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Vilas-Vilela
- Macromolecular Chemistry Research Group (LABQUIMAC) Department of Physical Chemistry Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials Applications, and Nanostructures, Bldg. Martina Casiano, UPV/EHU Science Park Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940, Spain
| | - Paul D Dalton
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Senentxu Lanceros-Mendez
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials Applications, and Nanostructures, Bldg. Martina Casiano, UPV/EHU Science Park Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
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Reizabal A, Saiz PG, Luposchainsky S, Liashenko I, Chasko D, Lanceros-Méndez S, Lindberg G, Dalton PD. Cryo-Electrohydrodynamic Jetting of Aqueous Silk Fibroin Solutions. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:1843-1855. [PMID: 37988293 PMCID: PMC10934238 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The incorporation of 3D-printing principles with electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jetting provides a harmonious balance between resolution and processing speed, allowing for the creation of high-resolution centimeter-scale constructs. Typically, EHD jetting of polymer melts offers the advantage of rapid solidification, while processing polymer solutions requires solvent evaporation to transition into solid fibers, creating challenges for reliable printing. This study navigates a hybrid approach aimed at minimizing printing instabilities by combining viscous solutions and achieving rapid solidification through freezing. Our method introduces and fully describes a modified open-source 3D printer equipped with a frozen collector that operates at -35 °C. As a proof of concept, highly concentrated silk fibroin aqueous solutions are processed into stable micrometer scale jets, which rapidly solidify upon contact with the frozen collector. This results in the formation of uniform microfibers characterized by an average diameter of 27 ± 5 μm, a textured surface, and porous internal channels. The absence of instabilities and the notably fast direct writing speed of 42 mm·s-1 enable precise, fast, and reliable deposition of these fibers into porous constructs spanning several centimeters. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated by the consistent production of biologically relevant scaffolds that can be customized with varying pore sizes and shapes. The achieved degree of control over micrometric jet solidification and deposition dynamics represents a significant advancement in EHD jetting, particularly within the domain of aqueous polymer solutions, offering new opportunities for the development of intricate and functional biological structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ander Reizabal
- Phil
and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene 97403, Oregon, United States
- BCMaterials,
Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, Bldg. Martina Casiano, UPV/EHU Science
Park, Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Paula G. Saiz
- Phil
and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene 97403, Oregon, United States
- Macromolecular
Chemistry Group (LABQUIMAC), Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty
of Science and Technology, University of
the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, E-48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Simon Luposchainsky
- Phil
and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene 97403, Oregon, United States
| | - Ievgenii Liashenko
- Phil
and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene 97403, Oregon, United States
| | - DeShea Chasko
- Phil
and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene 97403, Oregon, United States
| | | | - Gabriella Lindberg
- Phil
and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene 97403, Oregon, United States
| | - Paul D. Dalton
- Phil
and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene 97403, Oregon, United States
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Reizabal A, Devlin BL, Paxton NC, Saiz PG, Liashenko I, Luposchainsky S, Woodruff MA, Lanceros-Mendez S, Dalton PD. Melt Electrowriting of Nylon-12 Microfibers with an Open-Source 3D Printer. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2300424. [PMID: 37821091 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrates how either a heated flat or cylindrical collector enables defect-free melt electrowriting (MEW) of complex geometries from high melting temperature polymers. The open-source "MEWron" printer uses nylon-12 filament and combined with a heated flat or cylindrical collector, produces well-defined fibers with diameters ranging from 33 ± 4 to 95 ± 3 µm. Processing parameters for stable jet formation and minimal defects based on COMSOL thermal modeling for hardware design are optimized. The balance of processing temperature and collector temperature is achieved to achieve auxetic patterns, while showing that annealing nylon-12 tubes significantly alters their mechanical properties. The samples exhibit varied pore sizes and wall thicknesses influenced by jet dynamics and fiber bridging. Tensile testing shows nylon-12 tubes are notably stronger than poly(ε-caprolactone) ones and while annealing has limited impact on tensile strength, yield, and elastic modulus, it dramatically reduces elongation. The equipment described and material used broadens MEW applications for high melting point polymers and highlights the importance of cooling dynamics for reproducible samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ander Reizabal
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97405, USA
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, Leioa, 48940, Spain
| | - Brenna L Devlin
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, 4059, Australia
| | - Naomi C Paxton
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97405, USA
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, 4059, Australia
| | - Paula G Saiz
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97405, USA
- Macromolecular Chemistry Research Group (LABQUIMAC), Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UPV/EHU, Leioa, 48940, Spain
| | - Ievgenii Liashenko
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97405, USA
| | - Simon Luposchainsky
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97405, USA
| | - Maria A Woodruff
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, 4059, Australia
| | - Senentxu Lanceros-Mendez
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, Leioa, 48940, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
| | - Paul D Dalton
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97405, USA
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