Researchers develop 3D printable material that mimics biological tissues

At the University of Colorado Denver, researchers have developed a method to create 3D printed liquid crystal elastomers with complex structures. The aim of this research is to build structures that match the physical properties of complex biological tissues, such as cartilage. Over the years, researchers around the world have been exploring the potential of 3D printing technologies for patient treatments and therapies. One of the main benefits of additive manufacturing is the level of complexity that can be achieved for a given structure. In this case, the researchers hope that the technique will help with creating patient-specific implants to replace tissues that have been lost because of injury or disease.

Given that tissues have unique properties, such as flexibility and strength, they are difficult to emulate when using synthetic substances. Tissues such as cartilage are extremely hard wearing, yet still soft and flexible enough to allow for movement and cushioning. For example, the spine’s components are strong and flexible enough to protect delicate neural tissue. Chris Yakacki, researcher involved in the study commented: “The spine is full of challenges and it’s a hard problem to solve. People have tried making synthetic spinal tissue discs and they haven’t done a good job of it.”

The structure at different scales | Image via CU Denver News

3D printed liquid crystal elastomers

In the study published in Advanced Materials, the team of researchers explain that they used liquid crystal elastomers to create complex structures that imitate biological tissue. More precisely, they used DLP 3D printing technology. DLP is similar to SLA in the sense that it also relies on photopolymerization to create an object layer by layer using ultraviolet light. The technology enables a high degree of precision, which is key for structures that will enter the body such as this one. During printing, the researchers used a photocurable (thus DLP printable) main-chain liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) resin. They explain that this resin showed “12 times greater rate-dependence and up to 27 times greater strain-energy dissipation compared to those printed from a commercially available photocurable elastomer resin,” after carrying out some mechanical tests.