Novel Electrohydrodynamic Printing of Nanocomposite Biopolymer Scaffolds

Abstract

In this paper, we uncover a new method for the preparation of biopolymer scaffolds and demonstrate its potential for the development of organs with the aid of tissue engineering. Two novel nanocomposite polymers, a nonbiodegradable polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-poly (carbonate-urea)urethane and a biodegradable polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-polycaprolactone-poly(carbonate-urea)urethane, have been subjected to flow in an electric field. Electrically forced microthreading of the polymers occurs and a three-dimensional print-patterning device was used to deposit fine (<50 µm) threads of polymer according to a predesigned architecture to prepare scaffolds. The technique can offer tremendous potential in the development of organs.