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AUTHOR Li, Jianfeng and Hashemi, Payam and Liu, Tianyi and Dang, Ka My and Brunk, Michael G. K. and Mu, Xin and Nia, Ali Shaygan and Sacher, Wesley D. and Feng, Xinliang and Poon, Joyce K. S.
Title 3D printed titanium carbide MXene-coated polycaprolactone scaffolds for guided neuronal growth and photothermal stimulation [Abstract]
Year 2024
Journal/Proceedings Communications Materials
Reftype Li2024
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The exploration of neural circuitry is paramount for comprehending the computational mechanisms and physiology of the brain. Despite significant advances in materials and fabrication techniques, controlling neuronal connectivity and response in 3D remains a formidable challenge. Here, we introduce a method for engineering the growth of 3D neural circuits with the capability for optical stimulation. We fabricate bioactive interfaces by melt electrospinning writing (MEW) 3D polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds followed by coating with titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx MXene). Beyond enhancing hydrophilicity, cell adhesion, and electrical conductivity, the Ti3C2Tx MXene coating enables optocapacitance-based neuronal stimulation, induced by localized temperature increases upon illumination. This approach offers a pathway for additive manufacturing of neural tissues endowed with optical control, facilitating functional tissue engineering and neural circuit computation.
AUTHOR Habelt, Bettina and Wirth, Christopher and Afanasenkau, Dzmitry and Mihaylova, Lyudmila and Winter, Christine and Arvaneh, Mahnaz and Minev, Ivan R. and Bernhardt, Nadine
Title A Multimodal Neuroprosthetic Interface to Record, Modulate and Classify Electrophysiological Biomarkers Relevant to Neuropsychiatric Disorders [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Most mental disorders, such as addictive diseases or schizophrenia, are characterized by impaired cognitive function and behavior control originating from disturbances within prefrontal neural networks. Their often chronic reoccurring nature and the lack of efficient therapies necessitate the development of new treatment strategies. Brain-computer interfaces, equipped with multiple sensing and stimulation abilities, offer a new toolbox whose suitability for diagnosis and therapy of mental disorders has not yet been explored. This study, therefore, aimed to develop a biocompatible and multimodal neuroprosthesis to measure and modulate prefrontal neurophysiological features of neuropsychiatric symptoms. We used a 3D-printing technology to rapidly prototype customized bioelectronic implants through robot-controlled deposition of soft silicones and a conductive platinum ink. We implanted the device epidurally above the medial prefrontal cortex of rats and obtained auditory event-related brain potentials in treatment-naïve animals, after alcohol administration and following neuromodulation through implant-driven electrical brain stimulation and cortical delivery of the anti-relapse medication naltrexone. Towards smart neuroprosthetic interfaces, we furthermore developed machine learning algorithms to autonomously classify treatment effects within the neural recordings. The neuroprosthesis successfully captured neural activity patterns reflecting intact stimulus processing and alcohol-induced neural depression. Moreover, implant-driven electrical and pharmacological stimulation enabled successful enhancement of neural activity. A machine learning approach based on stepwise linear discriminant analysis was able to deal with sparsity in the data and distinguished treatments with high accuracy. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of multimodal bioelectronic systems to monitor, modulate and identify healthy and affected brain states with potential use in a personalized and optimized therapy of neuropsychiatric disorders.
AUTHOR Afanasenkau, Dzmitry and Kalinina, Daria and Lyakhovetskii, Vsevolod and Tondera, Christoph and Gorsky, Oleg and Moosavi, Seyyed and Pavlova, Natalia and Merkulyeva, Natalia and Kalueff, Allan V. and Minev, Ivan R. and Musienko, Pavel
Title Rapid prototyping of soft bioelectronic implants for use as neuromuscular interfaces [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Nature Biomedical Engineering
Reftype Afanasenkau2020
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Abstract
Neuromuscular interfaces are required to translate bioelectronic technologies for application in clinical medicine. Here, by leveraging the robotically controlled ink-jet deposition of low-viscosity conductive inks, extrusion of insulating silicone pastes and in situ activation of electrode surfaces via cold-air plasma, we show that soft biocompatible materials can be rapidly printed for the on-demand prototyping of customized electrode arrays well adjusted to specific anatomical environments, functions and experimental models. We also show, with the monitoring and activation of neuronal pathways in the brain, spinal cord and neuromuscular system of cats, rats and zebrafish, that the printed bioelectronic interfaces allow for long-term integration and functional stability. This technology might enable personalized bioelectronics for neuroprosthetic applications.
AUTHOR Kleger, Nicole and Cihova, Martina and Masania, Kunal and Studart, André R. and Löffler, Jörg F.
Title 3d printing of salt as a template for magnesium with structured porosity [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings advanced materials
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Abstract Porosity is an essential feature in a wide range of applications that combine light weight with high surface area and tunable density. Porous materials can be easily prepared with a vast variety of chemistries using the salt-leaching technique. However, this templating approach has so far been limited to the fabrication of structures with random porosity and relatively simple macroscopic shapes. Here, a technique is reported that combines the ease of salt leaching with the complex shaping possibilities given by additive manufacturing (AM). By tuning the composition of surfactant and solvent, the salt-based paste is rheologically engineered and printed via direct ink writing into grid-like structures displaying structured pores that span from the sub-millimeter to the macroscopic scale. As a proof of concept, dried and sintered NaCl templates are infiltrated with magnesium (Mg), which is typically highly challenging to process by conventional AM techniques due to its highly oxidative nature and high vapor pressure. Mg scaffolds with well-controlled, ordered porosity are obtained after salt removal. The tunable mechanical properties and the potential to be predictably bioresorbed by the human body make these Mg scaffolds attractive for biomedical implants and demonstrate the great potential of this additive technique.
AUTHOR Zhang, Danwei and Jonhson, Win and Herng, Tun Seng and Ang, Yong Quan and Yang, Lin and Tan, Swee Ching and Peng, Erwin and He, Hui and Ding, Jun
Title A 3D-printing method of fabrication for metals{,} ceramics{,} and multi-materials using a universal self-curable technique for robocasting [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Materials Horizons
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Ceramics and metals are important materials that modern technologies are constructed from. The capability to produce such materials in a complex geometry with good mechanical properties can revolutionize the way we engineer our devices. Current curing techniques pose challenges such as high energy requirements{,} limitations of materials with high refractive index{,} tedious post-processing heat treatment processes{,} uneven drying shrinkages{,} and brittleness of green bodies. In this paper{,} a novel modified self-curable epoxide–amine 3D printing system is proposed to print a wide range of ceramics (metal oxides{,} nitrides{,} and carbides) and metals without the need for an external curing source. Through this technique{,} complex multi-material structures (with metal–ceramic and ceramic–ceramic combinations) can also be realized. Tailoring and matching the sintering temperatures of different materials through sintering additives and dopants{,} combined with a structural design providing maximum adhesion between interfaces{,} allow us to successfully obtain superior quality sintered multi-material structures. High-quality ceramic and metallic materials have been achieved (e.g.{,} zirconia with >98% theoretical density). Also{,} highly conductive metals and magnetic ceramics were printed and shaped uniquely without the need for a sacrificial support. With the addition of low molecular weight plasticizers and a multi-stage heat treatment process{,} crack-free and dense high-quality integrated multi-material structures fabricated by 3D printing can thus be a reality in the near future.
AUTHOR Pless, Christian J. and Nikzad, Shayla and Papiano, Irene and Gnanadass, Samson and Kadumudi, Firoz B. and Dolatshahi-Pirouz, Alireza and Thomsen, Carsten Eckhart and Lind, Johan U.
Title Soft Electronic Block Copolymer Elastomer Composites for Multi-Material Printing of Stretchable Physiological Sensors on Textiles [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Electronic Materials
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Abstract Soft and stretchable electronic materials have a number of unique applications, not least within sensors for monitoring human health. Through development of appropriate inks, micro-extrusion 3D printing offers an appealing route for integrating soft electronic materials within wearable garments. Toward this objective, here a series of conductive inks based on soft thermoplastic styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene elastomers combined with silver micro-flakes, carbon black nanoparticles, or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) conducting polymer additives, is developed. Their electrical and mechanical properties are systematically compared and found to be highly dependent on additive amount and type. Thus, while silver composites offer the highest conductivity, their stretchability is far inferior to carbon black composites, which can maintain conductivity beyond 400% strain. The PEDOT composites are the least conductive and stretchable but display unique properties due to their propensity for ionic conductivity. To integrate these inks, as well as insulating counterparts, into functional designs, a multi-material micro-extrusion 3D printing routine for direct deposition onto stretchable, elastic fabrics is established. As demonstration, prototypes are produced for sensing common health markers including strain, physiological temperatures, and electrocardiograms. Collectively, this work demonstrates multi-material 3D printing of soft styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene elastomer composites as a versatile method for fabricating soft bio-sensors.
AUTHOR Liu, Guangde and Yu, Rongrong and Liu, Dong and Xia, Yuanhua and Pei, Xiaoyuan and Wang, Wei and Min, Chunying and Liu, Shengkai and Shao, Ruiqi and Xu, Zhiwei
Title 3D-printed TiO2-Ti3C2Tx heterojunction/rGO/PDMS composites with gradient pore size for electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal management [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
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In this paper, the Ti3C2Tx/GO frame with vertical pore gradient is constructed by using 3D printing technology. The TiO2-Ti3C2Tx heterojunctions is generated in situ by thermal annealing to control the oxidation of 3D frames. TiO2-Ti3C2Tx/rGO/PDMS composites with high EMI SE and excellent thermal management performance are assembled by curing the annealed 3D frame with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Notably, the composites have a unique multilayer-scale structure that rod-shaped TiO2 particles are decorated on Ti3C2Tx substrate and TiO2-Ti3C2Tx/rGO stack to form an amorphous porous gradient pore size structure. The effect of gradient pore size on EMI SE of composites is studied by simulation. Under the synergistic effect of multiple loss mechanism, the designed composites show conductivity of up to 173.1 S/m, the thickness of the composite is 2 mm and the density is 67mg/cm3, which shows excellent EMI SE of 58 dB. The composites also have excellent thermal management performance.
AUTHOR González-Callejo, Patricia and García-Astrain, Clara and Herrero-Ruiz, Ada and Henriksen-Lacey, Malou and Seras-Franzoso, Joaquín and Abasolo, Ibane and Liz-Marzán, Luis M.
Title 3D Bioprinted Tumor-Stroma Models of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells for Preclinical Targeted Therapy Evaluation [Abstract]
Year 2024
Journal/Proceedings ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces
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Breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in therapy resistance and tumor relapse, emphasizing the need for reliable in vitro models that recapitulate the complexity of the CSC tumor microenvironment to accelerate drug discovery. We present a bioprinted breast CSC tumor-stroma model incorporating triple-negative breast CSCs (TNB-CSCs) and stromal cells (human breast fibroblasts), within a breast-derived decellularized extracellular matrix bioink. Comparison of molecular signatures in this model with different clinical subtypes of bioprinted tumor-stroma models unveils a unique molecular profile for artificial CSC tumor models. We additionally demonstrate that the model can recapitulate the invasive potential of TNB-CSC. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering imaging allowed us to monitor the invasive potential of tumor cells in deep z-axis planes, thereby overcoming the depth-imaging limitations of confocal fluorescence microscopy. As a proof-of-concept application, we conducted high-throughput drug testing analysis to assess the efficacy of CSC-targeted therapy in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic compounds. The results highlight the usefulness of tumor-stroma models as a promising drug-screening platform, providing insights into therapeutic efficacy against CSC populations resistant to conventional therapies.
AUTHOR Li, Jianfeng and Hietel, Benjamin and Brunk, Michael G. K. and Reimers, Armin and Willems, Christian and Groth, Thomas and Cynis, Holger and Adelung, Rainer and Schütt, Fabian and Sacher, Wesley D. and Poon, Joyce K. S.
Title 3D-printed microstructured alginate scaffolds for neural tissue engineering [Abstract]
Year 2024
Journal/Proceedings Trends in Biotechnology
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Tetrapod-shaped ZnO (t-ZnO) microparticles create interconnected channels and textured surfaces in 3D-printed microstructured alginate (M-Alg) scaffolds.Primary mouse cortical neurons cultured on the M-Alg scaffolds demonstrate enhanced adhesion and maturation, with formation of extensive 3D neural projections, indicating the potential of this scaffold design for advanced neural tissue engineering applications.
AUTHOR García-Astrain, Clara and Henriksen-Lacey, Malou and Lenzi, Elisa and Renero-Lecuna, Carlos and Langer, Judith and Piñeiro, Paula and Molina-Martínez, Beatriz and Plou, Javier and Jimenez de Aberasturi, Dorleta and Liz-Marzán, Luis M.
Title A Scaffold-Assisted 3D Cancer Cell Model for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Based Real-Time Sensing and Imaging [Abstract]
Year 2024
Journal/Proceedings ACS Nano
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Despite recent advances in the development of scaffold-based three-dimensional (3D) cell models, challenges persist in imaging and monitoring cell behavior within these complex structures due to their heterogeneous cell distribution and geometries. Incorporating sensors into 3D scaffolds provides a potential solution for real-time, in situ sensing and imaging of biological processes such as cell growth and disease development. We introduce a 3D printed hydrogel-based scaffold capable of supporting both surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensing and imaging of 3D breast cancer cell models. The scaffold incorporates plasmonic nanoparticles and SERS tags, for sensing and imaging, respectively. We demonstrate the scaffold’s adaptability and modularity in supporting breast cancer spheroids, thereby enabling spatial and temporal monitoring of tumor evolution.
AUTHOR Mehmet Cagirici and Yanran Xun and Danwei Zhang and Xi Xu and Jun Ding
Title Direct ink writing of Ni structures for electrocatalytic water splitting applications [Abstract]
Year 2024
Journal/Proceedings Materials Chemistry and Physics
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Fabrication of functional metallic materials with complex shapes and fine features remains a challenge despite the advancement of various manufacturing techniques including conventional and advanced methods. Direct ink writing (DIW) is a promising 3-dimensional printing (3DP) technique that overcomes the major challenge of fabricating highly porous complex structures. Herein, we demonstrate the potential of synthesizing pure Ni structures with tailorable microstructure and geometries for functional applications, such as water-splitting and electrocatalysis, based on oxygen evolution reaction (OER) through DIW. A reduction of 3D printed NiO complex scaffolds during heat treatments yields porous or highly dense 3D Ni-meshes. The highest electrochemical surface area (ECSA) was achieved by the 3D Ni-mesh electrode with a heat treatment of 600°C-1h which leads to the best OER performance of 222 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. With great stability at 1.58V for 60 h and tailorable structures, the porous 3D Ni-mesh electrode demonstrates promising water-splitting application on an industrial scale.
AUTHOR Vinnacombe-Willson, Gail A. and García-Astrain, Clara and Troncoso-Afonso, Lara and Wagner, Marita and Langer, Judith and González-Callejo, Patricia and Silvio, Desirè Di and Liz-Marzán, Luis M.
Title Growing Gold Nanostars on 3D Hydrogel Surfaces [Abstract]
Year 2024
Journal/Proceedings Chem. Mater.
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Nanocomposites comprising hydrogels and plasmonic nanoparticles are attractive materials for tissue engineering, bioimaging, and biosensing. These materials are usually fabricated by adding colloidal nanoparticles to the uncured polymer mixture and thus require time-consuming presynthesis, purification, and ligand-exchange steps. Herein, we introduce approaches for rapid synthesis of gold nanostars (AuNSt) in situ on hydrogel substrates, including those with complex three-dimensional (3D) features. These methods enable selective AuNSt growth at the surface of the substrate, and the growth conditions can be tuned to tailor the nanoparticle size and density (coverage). We additionally demonstrate proof-of-concept applications of these nanocomposites for SERS sensing and imaging. High surface coverage with AuNSt enabled 1-2 orders of magnitude higher SERS signals compared to plasmonic hydrogels loaded with premade colloids. Importantly, AuNSt can be prepared without the addition of any potentially cytotoxic surfactants, thereby ensuring a high biocompatibility. Overall, in situ growth becomes a versatile and straightforward approach for the fabrication of plasmonic biomaterials.
AUTHOR Habelt, Bettina and Afanasenkau, Dzmitry and Schwarz, Cindy and Domanegg, Kevin and Kuchar, Martin and Werner, Carsten and Minev, Ivan R. and Spanagel, Rainer and Meinhardt, Marcus W. and Bernhardt, Nadine
Title Prefrontal electrophysiological biomarkers and mechanism-based drug effects in a rat model of alcohol addiction [Abstract]
Year 2024
Journal/Proceedings Translational Psychiatry
Reftype Habelt2024
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Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who seek treatment show highly variable outcomes. A precision medicine approach with biomarkers responsive to new treatments is warranted to overcome this limitation. Promising biomarkers relate to prefrontal control mechanisms that are severely disturbed in AUD. This results in reduced inhibitory control of compulsive behavior and, eventually, relapse. We reasoned here that prefrontal dysfunction, which underlies vulnerability to relapse, is evidenced by altered neuroelectric signatures and should be restored by pharmacological interventions that specifically target prefrontal dysfunction. To test this, we applied our recently developed biocompatible neuroprosthesis to measure prefrontal neural function in a well-established rat model of alcohol addiction and relapse. We monitored neural oscillations and event-related potentials in awake alcohol-dependent rats during abstinence and following treatment with psilocybin or LY379268, agonists of the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR), and the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2), that are known to reduce prefrontal dysfunction and relapse. Electrophysiological impairments in alcohol-dependent rats are reduced amplitudes of P1N1 and N1P2 components and attenuated event-related oscillatory activity. Psilocybin and LY379268 were able to restore these impairments. Furthermore, alcohol-dependent animals displayed a dominance in higher beta frequencies indicative of a state of hyperarousal that is prone to relapse, which particularly psilocybin was able to counteract. In summary, we provide prefrontal markers indicative of relapse and treatment response, especially for psychedelic drugs.
AUTHOR Huang, Benzhao and Li, Shishuo and Dai, Shimin and Lu, Xiaoqing and Wang, Peng and Li, Xiao and Zhao, Zhibo and Wang, Qian and Li, Ningbo and Wen, Jie and Liu, Yifang and Wang, Xin and Man, Zhentao and Li, Wei and Liu, Bing
Title Ti3C2Tx MXene-Decorated 3D-Printed Ceramic Scaffolds for Enhancing Osteogenesis by Spatiotemporally Orchestrating Inflammatory and Bone Repair Responses [Abstract]
Year 2024
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Science
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Abstract Inflammatory responses play a central role in coordinating biomaterial-mediated tissue regeneration. However, precise modulation of dynamic variations in microenvironmental inflammation post-implantation remains challenging. In this study, the traditional β-tricalcium phosphate-based scaffold is remodeled via ultrathin MXene-Ti3C2 decoration and Zn2+/Sr2+ ion-substitution, endowing the scaffold with excellent reactive oxygen species-scavenging ability, near-infrared responsivity, and enhanced mechanical properties. The induction of mild hyperthermia around the implant via periodic near-infrared irradiation facilitates spatiotemporal regulation of inflammatory cytokines secreted by a spectrum of macrophage phenotypes. The process initially amplifies the pro-inflammatory response, then accelerates M1-to-M2 macrophage polarization transition, yielding a satisfactory pattern of osteo-immunomodulation during the natural bone healing process. Later, sustained release of Zn2+/Sr2+ ions with gradual degradation of the 3D scaffold maintains the favorable reparative M2-dominated immunological microenvironment that supports new bone mineralization. Precise temporal immunoregulation of the bone healing process by the intelligent 3D scaffold enhances bone regeneration in a rat cranial defect model. This strategy paves the way for the application of β-tricalcium phosphate-based materials to guide the dynamic inflammatory and bone tissue responses toward a favorable outcome, making clinical treatment more predictable and durable. The findings also demonstrate that near-infrared irradiation-derived mild hyperthermia is a promising method of immunomodulation.
AUTHOR Li, Jianfeng and Reimers, Armin and Dang, Ka My and Brunk, Michael G. K. and Drewes, Jonas and Hirsch, Ulrike M. and Willems, Christian and Schmelzer, Christian E. H. and Groth, Thomas and Nia, Ali Shaygan and Feng, Xinliang and Adelung, Rainer and Sacher, Wesley D. and Schütt, Fabian and Poon, Joyce K. S.
Title 3D printed neural tissues with in situ optical dopamine sensors [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Biosensors and Bioelectronics
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Engineered neural tissues serve as models for studying neurological conditions and drug screening. Besides observing the cellular physiological properties, in situ monitoring of neurochemical concentrations with cellular spatial resolution in such neural tissues can provide additional valuable insights in models of disease and drug efficacy. In this work, we demonstrate the first three-dimensional (3D) tissue cultures with embedded optical dopamine (DA) sensors. We developed an alginate/Pluronic F127 based bio-ink for human dopaminergic brain tissue printing with tetrapodal-shaped-ZnO microparticles (t-ZnO) additive as the DA sensor. DA quenches the autofluorescence of t-ZnO in physiological environments, and the reduction of the fluorescence intensity serves as an indicator of the DA concentration. The neurons that were 3D printed with the t-ZnO showed good viability, and extensive 3D neural networks were formed within one week after printing. The t-ZnO could sense DA in the 3D printed neural network with a detection limit of 0.137 μM. The results are a first step toward integrating tissue engineering with intensiometric biosensing for advanced artificial tissue/organ monitoring.
AUTHOR Silvestri, Alessandro and Vázquez-Díaz, Silvia and Misia, Giuseppe and Poletti, Fabrizio and López-Domene, Rocío and Pavlov, Valeri and Zanardi, Chiara and Cortajarena, Aitziber L. and Prato, Maurizio
Title An Electroactive and Self-Assembling Bio-Ink, based on Protein-Stabilized Nanoclusters and Graphene, for the Manufacture of Fully Inkjet-Printed Paper-Based Analytical Devices [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Small
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Abstract Hundreds of new electrochemical sensors are reported in literature every year. However, only a few of them makes it to the market. Manufacturability, or rather the lack of it, is the parameter that dictates if new sensing technologies will remain forever in the laboratory in which they are conceived. Inkjet printing is a low-cost and versatile technique that can facilitate the transfer of nanomaterial-based sensors to the market. Herein, an electroactive and self-assembling inkjet-printable ink based on protein-nanomaterial composites and exfoliated graphene is reported. The consensus tetratricopeptide proteins (CTPRs), used to formulate this ink, are engineered to template and coordinate electroactive metallic nanoclusters (NCs), and to self-assemble upon drying, forming stable films. The authors demonstrate that, by incorporating graphene in the ink formulation, it is possible to dramatically improve the electrocatalytic properties of the ink, obtaining an efficient hybrid material for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection. Using this bio-ink, the authors manufactured disposable and environmentally sustainable electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) to detect H2O2, outperforming commercial screen-printed platforms. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that oxidoreductase enzymes can be included in the formulation, to fully inkjet-print enzymatic amperometric biosensors ready to use.
AUTHOR Mira, Mira and Wibowo, Arie and Tajalla, Gusti Umindya Nur and Cooper, Glen and Bartolo, Paulo Jorge Da Silva and Barlian, Anggraini
Title Osteogenic potential of a 3D printed silver nanoparticle-based electroactive scaffold for bone tissue engineering using human Wharton{'}s jelly mesenchymal stem cells [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings Mater. Adv.
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This study aims to perform biological assessments of an electroactive and anti-infection scaffold based on polycaprolactone/0.5 wt% silver nanoparticles (PCL/AgNPs) that was fabricated using a green synthesis approach followed by a 3D printing method without utilization of any toxic solvents{,} which has not been explored previously. For this purpose{,} human Wharton{'}s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJ-MSCs) were used as a cell source to explore the biocompatibility and the ability to induce the osteogenesis process on the fabricated PCL and PCL/AgNPs scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM){,} confocal microscopy and an alamar blue assay up to day 14 revealed that the PCL/AgNPs scaffolds have better cell attachment{,} penetration and proliferation than the PCL scaffolds. A gene expression study up to day 21 using the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed that the PCL/AgNPs scaffolds have better osteogenic differentiation at the gene level than the PCL scaffolds. This is indicated by the 2–3 fold greater expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2){,} collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1){,} and osteopontin (OPN) than the PCL scaffold. A protein expression study up to day 21 using immunocytochemistry and detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) revealed that the PCL/AgNPs scaffolds have better osteogenic differentiation at the protein level than the PCL scaffolds. This is shown by the observed collagen type I and osteopontin protein{,} and ALP activity at day 21 of PCL/AgNPs scaffolds (768 U L−1) which is 1.3 times higher than that of the PCL scaffolds (578 U L−1). These biological assessments showed that the combination of a green synthesis approach to prepare AgNPs and solvent-free 3D printing methods to fabricate the PCL/AgNPs scaffolds led to better biocompatibility and ability to induce the osteogenesis process{,} which is attractive for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
AUTHOR Aizarna-Lopetegui, Uxue and García-Astrain, Clara and Renero-Lecuna, Carlos and González-Callejo, Patricia and Villaluenga, Irune and del Pozo, Miguel A. and Sánchez-Álvarez, Miguel and Henriksen-Lacey, Malou and Jimenez de Aberasturi, Dorleta
Title Remodeling arteries: studying the mechanical properties of 3D-bioprinted hybrid photoresponsive materials [Abstract]
Year 2023
Journal/Proceedings J. Mater. Chem. B
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3D-printed cell models are currently in the spotlight of medical research. Whilst significant advances have been made{,} there are still aspects that require attention to achieve more realistic models which faithfully represent the in vivo environment. In this work we describe the production of an artery model with cyclic expansive properties{,} capable of mimicking the different physical forces and stress factors that cells experience in physiological conditions. The artery wall components are reproduced using 3D printing of thermoresponsive polymers with inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) representing the outer tunica adventitia{,} smooth muscle cells embedded in extracellular matrix representing the tunica media{,} and finally a monolayer of endothelial cells as the tunica intima. Cyclic expansion can be induced thanks to the inclusion of photo-responsive plasmonic NPs embedded within the thermoresponsive ink composition{,} resulting in changes in the thermoresponsive polymer hydration state and hence volume{,} in a stimulated on–off manner. By changing the thermoresponsive polymer composition{,} the transition temperature and pulsatility can be efficiently tuned. We show the direct effect of cyclic expansion and contraction on the overlying cell layers by analyzing transcriptional changes in mechanoresponsive mesenchymal genes associated with such microenvironmental physical cues. The technique described herein involving stimuli-responsive 3D printed tissue constructs{,} also described as four- dimensional (4D) printing{,} offers a novel approach for the production of dynamic biomodels.
AUTHOR Kim, Jieun and Lee, Joohyung
Title Liquid-Suspended and Liquid-Bridged Liquid Metal Microdroplets [Abstract]
Year 2022
Journal/Proceedings Small
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Abstract Liquid metals (LMs) and alloys are attracting increasing attention owing to their combined advantages of high conductivity and fluidity, and have shown promising results in various emerging applications. Patterning technologies using LMs are being actively researched; among them, direct ink writing is considered a potentially viable approach for efficient LM additive manufacturing. However, true LM additive manufacturing with arbitrary printing geometries remains challenging because of the intrinsically low rheological strength of LMs. Herein, colloidal suspensions of LM droplets amenable to additive manufacturing (or “3D printing”) are realized using formulations containing minute amounts of liquid capillary bridges. The resulting LM suspensions exhibit exceptionally high rheological strength with yield stress values well above 103 Pa, attributed to inter-droplet capillary attraction mediated by the liquid bridges adsorbed on the oxide skin of the LM droplets. Such liquid-bridged LM suspensions, as extrudable ink-type filaments, are based on uncurable continuous-phase liquid media, have a long pot-life and outstanding shear-thinning properties, and shape retention, demonstrating excellent rheological processability suitable for 3D printing. These findings will enable the emergence of a variety of new advanced applications that necessitate LM patterning into highly complicated multidimensional structures.
AUTHOR Wibowo, Arie and Tajalla, Gusti U. N. and Marsudi, Maradhana A. and Cooper, Glen and Asri, Lia A.T.W. and Liu, Fengyuan and Ardy, Husaini and Bartolo, Paulo J.D.S.
Title Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extract of Cilembu Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L var. Rancing) as Potential Filler for 3D Printed Electroactive and Anti-Infection Scaffolds [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Molecules
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Electroactive biomaterials are fascinating for tissue engineering applications because of their ability to deliver electrical stimulation directly to cells, tissue, and organs. One particularly attractive conductive filler for electroactive biomaterials is silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) because of their high conductivity, antibacterial activity, and ability to promote bone healing. However, production of AgNPs involves a toxic reducing agent which would inhibit biological scaffold performance. This work explores facile and green synthesis of AgNPs using extract of Cilembu sweet potato and studies the effect of baking and precursor concentrations (1, 10 and 100 mM) on AgNPs’ properties. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) results revealed that the smallest particle size of AgNPs (9.95 ± 3.69 nm) with nodular morphology was obtained by utilization of baked extract and ten mM AgNO3. Polycaprolactone (PCL)/AgNPs scaffolds exhibited several enhancements compared to PCL scaffolds. Compressive strength was six times greater (3.88 ± 0.42 MPa), more hydrophilic (contact angle of 76.8 ± 1.7°), conductive (2.3 ± 0.5 × 10−3 S/cm) and exhibited anti-bacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC3658 (99.5% reduction of surviving bacteria). Despite the promising results, further investigation on biological assessment is required to obtain comprehensive study of this scaffold. This green synthesis approach together with the use of 3D printing opens a new route to manufacture AgNPs-based electroactive with improved anti-bacterial properties without utilization of any toxic organic solvents.
AUTHOR Zhang, Danwei and Jonhson, Win and Herng, Tun Seng and Xu, Xi and Liu, Xiaojing and Pan, Liang-ming and He, Hui and Ding, Jun
Title High Temperature Co-firing of 3D-Printed Al-ZnO/Al2O3 Multi-Material Two-Phase Flow Sensor [Abstract]
Year 2021
Journal/Proceedings Journal of Materiomics
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Abstract
Sensors are crucial in the understanding of machines working under high temperatures and high-pressure conditions. Current devices utilize polymeric materials as electrical insulators which pose a challenge in the device’s lifespan. Ceramics, on the other hand, is robust and able to withstand high temperature and pressure. For such applications, a co-fired ceramic device which can provide both electrical conductivity and insulation is beneficial and acts as a superior candidate for sensor devices. In this paper, we propose a novel fabrication technique of complex multi-ceramics structures via 3D printing. This fabrication methodology increases both the geometrical complexity and the device’s shape precision. Structural ceramics (alumina) was employed as the electrical insulator whilst providing mechanical rigidity while a functional ceramic (alumina-doped zinc oxide) was employed as the electrically conductive material. The addition of sintering additives, tailoring the printing pastes’ solid loadings and heat treatment profile resolves multi-materials printing challenges such as shrinkage disparity and densification matching. Through high-temperature co-firing of ceramics (HTCC) technology, dense high quality functional multi-ceramics structures are achieved. The proposed fabrication methodology paves the way for multi-ceramics sensors to be utilized in high temperature and pressure systems in the near future.
AUTHOR García-Astrain, Clara and Lenzi, Elisa and Jimenez de Aberasturi, Dorleta and Henriksen-Lacey, Malou and Binelli, Marco R. and Liz-Marzán, Luis M.
Title 3D-Printed Biocompatible Scaffolds with Built-In Nanoplasmonic Sensors [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Functional Materials
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Abstract
Abstract 3D printing strategies have acquired great relevance toward the design of 3D scaffolds with precise macroporous structures, for supported mammalian cell growth. Despite advances in 3D model designs, there is still a shortage of detection tools to precisely monitor in situ cell behavior in 3D, thereby allowing a better understanding of the progression of diseases or to test the efficacy of drugs in a more realistic microenvironment. Even if the number of available inks has exponentially increased, they do not necessarily offer the required functionalities to be used as internal sensors. Herein the potential of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy for the detection of biorelevant analytes within a plasmonic hydrogel-based, 3D-printed scaffold is demonstrated. Such SERS-active scaffolds allow for the 3D detection of model molecules, such as 4-mercaptobenzoic acid. Flexibility in the choice of plasmonic nanoparticles is demonstrated through the use of gold nanoparticles with different morphologies, gold nanorods showing the best balance between SERS enhancement and scaffold transparency. Detection of the biomarker adenosine is also demonstrated as a proof-of-concept toward the use of these plasmonic scaffolds for SERS sensing of cell-secreted molecules over extended periods of time.
AUTHOR Athanasiadis, Markos and Afanasenkau, Dzmitry and Derks, Wouter and Tondera, Christoph and Murganti, Francesca and Busskamp, Volker and Bergmann, Olaf and Minev, Ivan R.
Title Printed elastic membranes for multimodal pacing and recording of human stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings npj Flexible Electronics
Reftype Athanasiadis2020
DOI/URL DOI
Abstract
Bioelectronic interfaces employing arrays of sensors and bioactuators are promising tools for the study, repair and engineering of cardiac tissues. They are typically constructed from rigid and brittle materials processed in a cleanroom environment. An outstanding technological challenge is the integration of soft materials enabling a closer match to the mechanical properties of biological cells and tissues. Here we present an algorithm for direct writing of elastic membranes with embedded electrodes, optical waveguides and microfluidics using a commercial 3D printing system and a palette of silicone elastomers. As proof of principle, we demonstrate interfacing of cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), which are engineered to express Channelrhodopsin-2. We demonstrate electrical recording of cardiomyocyte field potentials and their concomitant modulation by optical and pharmacological stimulation delivered via the membrane. Our work contributes a simple prototyping strategy with potential applications in organ-on-chip or implantable systems that are multi-modal and mechanically soft.
AUTHOR Nasim Golafshan and Elke Vorndran and Stefan Zaharievski and Harold Brommer and Firoz Babu Kadumudi and Alireza Dolatshahi-Pirouz and Uwe Gbureck and René {van Weeren} and Miguel Castilho and Jos Malda
Title Tough magnesium phosphate-based 3D-printed implants induce bone regeneration in an equine defect model [Abstract]
Year 2020
Journal/Proceedings Biomaterials
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Abstract
One of the important challenges in bone tissue engineering is the development of biodegradable bone substitutes with appropriate mechanical and biological properties for the treatment of larger defects and those with complex shapes. Recently, magnesium phosphate (MgP) doped with biologically active ions like strontium (Sr2+) have shown to significantly enhance bone formation when compared with the standard calcium phosphate-based ceramics. However, such materials can hardly be shaped into large and complex geometries and more importantly lack the adequate mechanical properties for the treatment of load-bearing bone defects. In this study, we have fabricated bone implants through extrusion assisted three-dimensional (3D) printing of MgP ceramics modified with Sr2+ ions (MgPSr) and a medical grade polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer phase. MgPSr with 30 wt% PCL (MgPSr-PCL30) allowed the printability of relevant size structures (>780 mm3) at room temperature with an interconnected macroporosity of approximately 40%. The printing resulted in implants with a compressive strength of 4.3 MPa, which were able to support up to 50 cycles of loading without plastic deformation. Notably, MgPSr-PCL30 scaffolds were able to promote in vitro bone formation in medium without the supplementation with osteo-inducing components. In addition, long-term in vivo performance of the 3D printed scaffolds was investigated in an equine tuber coxae model over 6 months. The micro-CT and histological analysis showed that implantation of MgPSr-PCL30 induced bone regeneration, while no bone formation was observed in the empty defects. Overall, the novel polymer modified MgP ceramic material and extrusion-based 3D printing process presented here greatly improved the shape ability and load bearing properties of MgP-based ceramics with simultaneously induction of new bone formation.
AUTHOR Shen, Jie and Wang, Wenhao and Zhai, Xinyun and Chen, Bo and Qiao, Wei and Li, Wan and Li, Penghui and Zhao, Ying and Meng, Yuan and Qian, Shi and Liu, Xuanyong and Chu, Paul K. and Yeung, Kelvin W. K.
Title 3D-printed nanocomposite scaffolds with tunable magnesium ionic microenvironment induce in situ bone tissue regeneration [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Applied Materials Today
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Abstract
Local tissue microenvironment is able to regulate cell-to-cell interaction that leads to effective tissue repair. This study aims to demonstrate a tunable magnesium ionic (Mg2+) microenvironment in bony tissue that can significantly induce bone defect repair. The concept can be realized by using a newly fabricated nanocomposite comprising of custom-made copolymer polycaprolactone-co-poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polycaprolactone (PCL-PEG-PCL) and surface-modified magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. In this study, additive manufacturing (AM) technology had been adopted to help design the porous three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds with tunable Mg2+ microenvironment. We found that the wettability and printability of new copolymer had been improved as compared with that of PCL polymer. Additionally, when MgO nanoparticles incorporated into the newly synthesized hydrophilic copolymer matrix, it could lead to increased compressive moduli significantly. In the in vitro studies, the fabricated nanocomposite scaffold with low concentration of Mg2+ microenvironment not only demonstrated better cytocompatibility, but also remarkably enhanced osteogenic differentiation in vitro as compared with the pure PCL and PCL-PEG-PCL co-polymer controls. In the animal studies, we also found that superior and early bone formation and tissue mineralization could be observed in the same 3D printed scaffold. However, the nanocomposite scaffold with high concentration of Mg2+ jeopardized the in situ bony tissue regeneration capability due to excessive magnesium ions in bone tissue microenvironment. Lastly, this study demonstrates that the nanocomposite 3D scaffold with controlled magnesium concentration in bone tissue microenvironment can effectively promote bone defect repair.
AUTHOR Augurio, Adriana and Cortelletti, Paolo and Tognato, Riccardo and Rios, Anne and Levato, Riccardo and Malda, Jos and Alini, Mauro and Eglin, David and Giancane, Gabriele and Speghini, Adolfo and Serra, Tiziano
Title A Multifunctional Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Endoscopic Tracking and Manipulation [Abstract]
Year 2019
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Intelligent Systems
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Abstract
In this work, the fabrication of multi-responsive and hierarchically organized nanomaterial by using core-shell SrF2 upconverting nanoparticles, doped with Yb3+, Tm3+, Nd3+ incorporated into gelatin methacryloyl matrix, is reported. Upon 800 nm excitation, deep monitoring of 3D printed constructs is demonstrated. Addition of magnetic self-assembly of iron oxide nanoparticles within the hydrogel provides anisotropic structuration from the nano- to the macro-scale and magnetic responsiveness permitting remote manipulation. The present study provides a new strategy for the fabrication of a novel highly organized multi-responsive material using additive manufacturing, which could have important implications in biomedicine. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
AUTHOR Agarwala, Shweta and Lee, Jia Min and Ng, Wei Long and Layani, Michael and Yeong, Wai Yee and Magdassi, Shlomo
Title A novel 3D bioprinted flexible and biocompatible hydrogel bioelectronic platform [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Biosensors and Bioelectronics
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Abstract Bioelectronics platforms are gaining widespread attention as they provide a template to study the interactions between biological species and electronics. Decoding the effect of the electrical signals on the cells and tissues holds the promise for treating the malignant tissue growth, regenerating organs and engineering new-age medical devices. This work is a step forward in this direction, where bio- and electronic materials co-exist on one platform without any need for post processing. We fabricate a freestanding and flexible hydrogel based platform using 3D bioprinting. The fabrication process is simple, easy and provides a flexible route to print materials with preferred shapes, size and spatial orientation. Through the design of interdigitated electrodes and heating coil, the platform can be tailored to print various circuits for different functionalities. The biocompatibility of the printed platform is tested using C2C12 murine myoblasts cell line. Furthermore, normal human dermal fibroblasts (primary cells) are also seeded on the platform to ascertain the compatibility.
AUTHOR Tognato, Riccardo and Armiento, Angela R. and Bonfrate, Valentina and Levato, Riccardo and Malda, Jos and Alini, Mauro and Eglin, David and Giancane, Gabriele and Serra, Tiziano
Title A Stimuli-Responsive Nanocomposite for 3D Anisotropic Cell-Guidance and Magnetic Soft Robotics [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Advanced Functional Materials
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Abstract
Abstract Stimuli-responsive materials have the potential to enable the generation of new bioinspired devices with unique physicochemical properties and cell-instructive ability. Enhancing biocompatibility while simplifying the production methodologies, as well as enabling the creation of complex constructs, i.e., via 3D (bio)printing technologies, remains key challenge in the field. Here, a novel method is presented to biofabricate cellularized anisotropic hybrid hydrogel through a mild and biocompatible process driven by multiple external stimuli: magnetic field, temperature, and light. A low-intensity magnetic field is used to align mosaic iron oxide nanoparticles (IOPs) into filaments with tunable size within a gelatin methacryloyl matrix. Cells seeded on top or embedded within the hydrogel align to the same axes of the IOPs filaments. Furthermore, in 3D, C2C12 skeletal myoblasts differentiate toward myotubes even in the absence of differentiation media. 3D printing of the nanocomposite hydrogel is achieved and creation of complex heterogeneous structures that respond to magnetic field is demonstrated. By combining the advanced, stimuli-responsive hydrogel with the architectural control provided by bioprinting technologies, 3D constructs can also be created that, although inspired by nature, express functionalities beyond those of native tissue, which have important application in soft robotics, bioactuators, and bionic devices.
AUTHOR Bastola, A. K. and Paudel, M. and Li, L.
Title Development of hybrid magnetorheological elastomers by 3D printing [Abstract]
Year 2018
Journal/Proceedings Polymer
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Abstract
Intelligent or smart materials have one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli, such as temperature, pH, electric or magnetic fields, etc. Magnetorheological (MR) materials are a class of smart materials whose properties can be varied by applying an external magnetic field. In this work, the possibility of employing a suitable 3D printing technology for the development of one of the smart MR materials, the magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) has been explored. In order to achieve such 3D printing, a multi-material printing is implemented, where a controlled volume of MR fluid is encapsulated within an elastomer matrix in the layer-by-layer fashion. The choice of printing materials determines the final structure of the 3D printed hybrid MR elastomer. Printing with a vulcanizing MR suspension produces the solid MR structure inside the elastomer matrix while printing with a non-vulcanizing MR suspension (MR fluid) results in the structures that the MR fluid is encapsulated inside the elastomer matrix. The 3D printability of different materials has been studied by measuring their rheological properties and we found that the highly shear thinning and thixotropic properties are important for 3D printability. The quality of the printed filaments strongly depends on the key printing parameters such as extrusion pressure, initial height and feed rate. The experimental results from the forced vibration testing show that the 3D printed MR elastomers could change their elastic and damping properties when exposed to the external magnetic field. Furthermore, the 3D printed MR elastomer also exhibits the anisotropic behavior when the direction of the magnetic field is changed with respect to the orientation of the printed filaments. This study has demonstrated that the 3D printing is viable for fabrication of hybrid MR elastomers with controlled structures of magnetic particles or MR fluids.
AUTHOR Bastola, A. K. and Hoang, V. T. and Li, L.
Title A novel hybrid magnetorheological elastomer developed by 3D printing [Abstract]
Year 2017
Journal/Proceedings Materials and Design
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Abstract
Abstract In this study, a novel magnetorheological (MR) hybrid elastomer has been developed using a 3D printing method. In such an MR hybrid elastomer, a controlled volume of an MR fluid was encapsulated layer by layer into an elastomer matrix by means of a 3D printer and each layer was a composite structure consisting of an MR fluid and an elastomer. Similar to current MR fluids and MR elastomers, mechanical properties of 3D printed MR hybrid elastomers could be controlled via an externally applied magnetic field. The experimental results showed that the relative change in the damping capability of the new MR elastomer was more pronounced than the change in its stiffness when exposed to an external magnetic field. The study demonstrated that the 3D printing technique is feasible for fabrication of MR elastomers with controlled microstructures including magnetic particles or MR fluids. The 3D printed MR hybrid elastomer is also a potential material as a tunable spring-damper element.