Reinforcement of hydrogels using three-dimensionally printed microfibres
University Medical Center Utrecht · Queensland University of Technology · +5 more institutions
Abstract
Despite intensive research, hydrogels currently available for tissue repair in the musculoskeletal system are unable to meet the mechanical, as well as the biological, requirements for successful outcomes. Here we reinforce soft hydrogels with highly organized, high-porosity microfibre networks that are 3D-printed with a technique termed as melt electrospinning writing. We show that the stiffness of the gel/scaffold composites increases synergistically (up to 54-fold), compared with hydrogels or microfibre scaffolds alone. Modelling affirms that reinforcement with defined microscale structures is applicable to numerous hydrogels. The stiffness and elasticity of the composites approach that of articular…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 41.45
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 53
Authors
10- JVJetze Visser
University Medical Center Utrecht, Queensland University of Technology
- FPFerry P.W. Melchels
Queensland University of Technology, University Medical Center Utrecht
- JJJune Jeon
Queensland University of Technology
- EMErik M. van Bussel
University Medical Center Utrecht, Queensland University of Technology
- LSL. S. Kimpton
University of Oxford
Topics & keywords
- Self-healing hydrogels
- Materials science
- Microfiber
- Scaffold
- Tissue engineering
- Gelatin
- Microscale chemistry
- Electrospinning