Samimi Gharaie Sadaf, Seyfoori Amir, Khun Jush Bardia, Zhou Xiong, Pagan Erik, Godau Brent, Akbari Mohsen
Laboratory for Innovations in Microengineering (LiME), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada.
Center for Advanced Materials and Related Technologies (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada.
Gels. 2021 Nov 27;7(4):240. doi: 10.3390/gels7040240.
Hydrogel-based bio-inks have been extensively used for developing three-dimensional (3D) printed biomaterials for biomedical applications. However, poor mechanical performance and the inability to conduct electricity limit their application as wearable sensors. In this work, we formulate a novel, 3D printable electro-conductive hydrogel consisting of silicate nanosheets (Laponite), graphene oxide, and alginate. The result generated a stretchable, soft, but durable electro-conductive material suitable for utilization as a novel electro-conductive bio-ink for the extrusion printing of different biomedical platforms, including flexible electronics, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. A series of tensile tests were performed on the material, indicating excellent stability under significant stretching and bending without any conductive or mechanical failures. Rheological characterization revealed that the addition of Laponite enhanced the hydrogel's mechanical properties, including stiffness, shear-thinning, and stretchability. We also illustrate the reproducibility and flexibility of our fabrication process by extrusion printing various patterns with different fiber diameters. Developing an electro-conductive bio-ink with favorable mechanical and electrical properties offers a new platform for advanced tissue engineering.
基于水凝胶的生物墨水已被广泛用于开发用于生物医学应用的三维（3D）打印生物材料。然而，较差的机械性能和无法导电限制了它们作为可穿戴传感器的应用。在这项工作中，我们配制了一种新型的、可3D打印的导电水凝胶，它由硅酸盐纳米片（锂皂石）、氧化石墨烯和藻酸盐组成。结果得到了一种可拉伸、柔软但耐用的导电材料，适合用作新型导电生物墨水，用于挤出打印不同的生物医学平台，包括柔性电子器件、组织工程和药物递送。对该材料进行了一系列拉伸测试，表明在显著拉伸和弯曲下具有出色的稳定性，没有任何导电或机械故障。流变学表征表明，锂皂石的加入增强了水凝胶的机械性能，包括刚度、剪切变稀和拉伸性。我们还通过挤出打印具有不同纤维直径的各种图案来说明我们制造工艺的可重复性和灵活性。开发具有良好机械和电气性能的导电生物墨水为先进的组织工程提供了一个新平台。
