Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology Brisbane, Australia (QUT) have developed a new technique named “melt electrospinning writing” to reinforce soft hydrogels with high-porosity and highly organized microfibers. Hydrogels are a subset of biomaterials that tissue engineers often use to mimic the extracellular matrix. Because it is well documented that cells respond to various mechanical cues including tension, shear, substrate stiffness etc, the right materials need to be used to create an environment that the cells are used to. The problem that this study solves is that often times, the hydrogels are too weak and lack the right mechanical properties especially those used in the musculoskeletal system. Current methods for reinforcing hydrogels include procedures that lack control over the network architecture that makes up the gel/scaffold composite. This novel 3D printing technique will allow scientists to have even greater control over generating gel/scaffolds with the correct properties.
The group at QUT have specifically shown that the stiffness of the gel/scaffold composites increases synergistically up to 54 times greater, compared with hydrogels or microfibre scaffolds alone. Their study has also shown that they were able to create a gel/scaffold composite that approached the elasticity and stiffness values of articular cartilage tissue. Future applications of this technology includes 3D printing replacement body parts that are even more similar to the original.
Study in Nature Communications: Reinforcement of hydrogels using three-dimensionally printed microfibres…
Queensland University of Technology: QUT breakthrough in 3D printing of replacement body parts…