Cost-effective BioInk design via additive tuning: a cross-platform strategy for 3D bioprinting

Abstract

Custom biomaterials as inks for 3D printing (BioInks) are recently being explored to curate features to eliminate device failures caused by structural delamination. This study investigated BioInks composed of polyethylene glycol diacrylates of varying molecular weights for their inherent swelling, soft mechanical strength, non-reactivity, and biocompatibility. These BioInks have been tuned to be photo-sensitive to a range of wavelengths using a panel of photo-initiator and photo-absorber additives. Modifying viscoelastic and UV-sensitive properties yields cross-platform BioInk compositions that can be printed across stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and direct ink extrusion technologies. We also explore the cost efficiencies of using alternative photo additives to improve accessibility and affordability. 3D-printed techniques employing multilayered constructs are great candidates for fabricating biomedical devices that exhibit controlled reactions triggered by analyte molecules and shear or compressive pressure changes in their microenvironment as experienced within target organs in the body.