Soft biomaterials have been proposed as outstanding candidates for soft micro-optics and photonics applications due to their optical transparency and unique biocompatibility. However, there is still lacking a facile strategy that can rapidly and biofriendly prototype biomaterials into micro-optics. Here, we present a novel method, digital micromirror device (DMD) based rapid photopatterning that can fabricate microfeatures on hydrogel within seconds. Several diffractive optics including transmission 1D/2D gratings, beam splitter, Fresnel Zone Plate lenses and computer-generated holograms were produced. The optical performance of these optical devices was characterized and indicates that this method enables prototyping user-defined micro-optics with high fidelity. This versatile photopatterning technique can therefore be a potential route to develop precise soft optical microfeatures using any photosensitive biomaterials.
Contrary to structural and material complexities found in nature, man-made manufacturing technologies and associated materials remain relatively simple. Despite continued technological advances in additive manufacturing, current methods remain limited in their capabilities. We report a new technology coined as Hybrid Laser Printing (HLP) that is capable of shaping hydrogel materials into 3D multiscale, multi-material, and functional constructs. Using several proof-of-concept studies, we present that HLP can print 3D structures that are either (i) technically challenging to print, and/or (ii) extremely time consuming to manufacture, and/or (iii) not possible with current technologies.
Current manufacturing techniques are limited in their ability to fabricate 3D multiscale multi-material structures. Few research groups have utilized the ability of ultrafast lasers to shape hydrogel materials into complex 3D structures. However, current laser based methods are limited by scalability, types of materials, and incompatible laser and materials processing requirements, thereby preventing its widespread use. In this work, we report the design and development of a Hybrid Laser Printing (HLP) technology, that combines the key advantages of additive stereolithography (quick on-demand continuous fabrication) and multiphoton polymerization/ablation processes (high-resolution and superior design flexibility). Using a series of proof-of-principle experiments, we show that HLP is capable of printing 3D multiscale multi-material structures using model biocompatible hydrogel materials that are highly difficult and/or extremely time consuming to fabricate using curruent technologies.
Organized cellular alignment is critical for variety of biological phenomenon as well as necessary for several tissue engineering applications. Although a variety of methods have been used to control cellular alignment in 2D, recapitulating the organized 3D cellular alignment found within native tissues remains a challenge. In this study, we present a new method to align cells in localized user-defined orientations using femtosecond (fs) laser enabled hydrogel densification. Fs laser direct writing was used to induce densification within partially crosslinked gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel. Densified line patterns were used to preferential align variety of cells such as mouse 10T1/2s fibroblasts and IDG-SW3 osteocytes, and human HUVECs and hiPSC-derived MSCs. Cellular alignment as a function of cell-culture time, line spacing, and modification-depth were characterized. As compared to the current technology, this method can be applied to any photocrosslinkable hydrogel, as it does not require specialized chemical or physical modifications or any external guidance cues. Additionally, densification can be introduced during active cell culture providing temporal flexibility in experimental design. This method can be potentially used for the creation of organized engineered tissues.
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