Harnessing the distinctive attributes of three-dimensional auxetic scaffolds in applications related to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine injects fresh momentum into these domains. In this study, we present our findings regarding the creation and characterization of three-dimensional auxetic scaffolds tailored for tissue engineering applications. These scaffolds leverage the well-established re-entrant hexagonal geometry (bowtie) and are manufactured through multiphoton lithography utilizing the organic-inorganic photopolymer SZ2080. Employing in-situ scanning electron microscopy, micro-indentations, and nano-indentation experiments, we meticulously analyze the photocurable resin SZ2080 and the resultant scaffolds. Despite SZ2080 being inherently rigid with a positive Poisson’s ratio, our investigation reveals that the scaffolds exhibit a negative Poisson’s ratio and remarkable elasticity attributed to their specific architecture. Subsequently, we employ mouse fibroblasts to seed the scaffolds, demonstrating their capacity to efficiently infiltrate and proliferate within, conforming to the scaffold's structure to meet the cells' needs. Furthermore, the scaffold's architecture imparts a directional preference to the cells, a crucial factor in various cell-based applications within regenerative medicine. Our research lays the groundwork for the practical utilization of 3D auxetic metamaterials as cutting-edge, adaptable scaffolds in the realm of tissue engineering.
We present our latest work into the modelling and laser fabrication of 3D auxetic metamaterials, and their evaluation as scaffolds for cell growth.
Auxetic metamaterials are materials that display a negative Poisson’s ratio; when stretched, they become thicker perpendicular to the applied force. Their properties are due to their architecture, rather than their chemical composition. Natural biological tissues display auxetic characteristics in organs such as skin, artery, tendon, and cancellous bone. To make these metamaterials scaffolds, we employ 3D multiphoton polymerisation, using a biocompatible tailor-made zirconium silicate. Finally, we investigate the suitability of these metamaterials as scaffolds for cell growth.
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