China3D printingNet, March 1st, researchers from the Samuli School of Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles have developed a novel two-pronged approach to increase the strength of hydrogels that can be used to make artificial tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
The constructed synthetic biomaterials mimic the structure, stretchability and durability of natural biological tissues, and their flexibility means that they can be carried in configurations that were previously unachievable3D printing.
He Ximin, assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, Samuli School of Engineering, said: “This work shows a very promising approach for man-made biomaterials that are comparable or even stronger than natural biological tissues.”
The enhanced photomicrograph shows the artificial tendon material developed by UCLA materials scientists. The true scale of the image is 1 cm wide. The picture comes from UCLA.
Make stronger hydrogels
The internal structure of hydrogels is composed of crisscrossed polymers or gels, and they have shown broad prospects in biomedical applications (such as tissue replacement), as well as in soft robots and wearable electronic devices. However, current synthetic hydrogels are not yet strong or durable enough to adequately replace tissues that need to be repeatedly moved and bent while bearing weight.
To solve this problem, UCLA researchers have developed a two-stage process that combines molecular and structural engineering to create a hydrogel that is ten times tougher than natural tissue. They chose FDA-approved polyvinyl alcohol material to make the hydrogel prototype.
First, they used a method called freeze casting, which is a solidification process that produces a porous and concentrated polymer comparable to sponges. Then, they conducted a salting out treatment to crystallize the polymer chains into strong fibrils. The combination of these two processes forms a series of connected structures that span the molecular level to millimeter level in the hydrogel, making it stronger and more stretchable.
In order to test the durability of the new hydrogel, the researchers conducted 30,000 tensile test cycles. During the entire cycle, the material showed no signs of deterioration.
This figure shows the different proportions of artificial tendon material and real tendon. The picture comes from UCLA.
3D printingHave greater flexibility
During the research process, the UCLA team obtained a new hydrogel structure that not only enhanced the strength, but also had greater flexibility.They believe that this can achieve previously unachievable hydrogels3D printing.
The researchers also proved that by changing the temperature, acidity or humidity, such3D printingThe structure is transformed into different shapes. In this way, the hydrogel can potentially act as an artificial muscle capable of exerting considerable force and exhibiting high elasticity.
The new hydrogel has enhanced strength, durability and flexibility and is suitable for biomedical applications such as artificial tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Not only that, they can also show promise in the fields of surgical machines and bioelectronics.
The Rutgers team’s new hydrogel is based on discolored cells found in several cephalopods. Filmed by NOAA Okeanos Explorer program.
3D printingThe progress of hydrogels
3D printingA lot of research is underway in the field of hydrogels, as scientists are seeking to make them stronger, tougher, more durable, and more flexible to expand their applications.
In the last few months alone, a hydrogel has been developed3D printingInto other polymers to create a new method of complex hybrid microstructures, and the Spanish-led research team has already3D printingA hydrogel that can accelerate the production of T cells in cancer patients.Elsewhere, scientists have set out to develop a new method that uses cellulose-based hydrogels for tunable viscoelastic materials.3D printing, In order to provide parts with multi-directional stiffness gradients.
Recently, researchers at Rutgers University created the photosensitive3D printingThe shape and appearance of the artificial “muscle” can be changed as needed. The robotic device is based on a novel hydrogel inspired by squid, octopus and squid cells.
China3D printingNet compile article!
(Editor in charge: admin)
0 Comments for “Researchers bio-printed a stronger artificial tendon”