Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Niclas Weigel, Max J. Maennel, Julian Thiele
Summary: The study focuses on developing resins for high-resolution additive manufacturing of flexible micromaterials through projection micro-stereolithography (P mu SL). The best-candidate resin allows for 3D-printing transparent microchannels with a minimum cross section and exhibits proper solvent resistance. The mechanical properties are suitable for 3D-printing microfluidic devices with integrated functional units, expanding the library of functional resins for P mu SL printing towards flexible materials with micrometer resolution.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aytug Kara, Athina Vassiliadou, Baris Ongoren, William Keeble, Richard Hing, Aikaterini Lalatsa, Dolores R. Serrano
Summary: The article introduces the method and advantages of manufacturing nanomedicines using 3D printed microfluidic chips, and demonstrates the experimental results of fabricating polymeric nanoparticles. The research shows that nanoparticles manufactured using SLA technology have smaller particle sizes and smoother channel surfaces.
Article
Polymer Science
Francesc Subirada, Roberto Paoli, Jessica Sierra-Agudelo, Anna Lagunas, Romen Rodriguez-Trujillo, Josep Samitier
Summary: The combination of microfluidics and stereolithography (SLA) has great potential in areas like biological analysis and chemical detection. In this article, microfluidic devices were manufactured using different methods, and significant results were achieved for 3D printing with commercial resins.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Isteaque Ahmed, Katherine Sullivan, Aashish Priye
Summary: Stereolithography-based 3D printing of microfluidics has gained attention for its advantages over traditional microfabrication techniques. However, existing consumer SLA printers struggle with micron-scale 3D printing. This study explores the failure modes and presents guidelines to overcome these challenges. The method allows for printing microfluidic channels as small as 75 μm and integrating flexible and rigid components within a single chip, reducing reliance on expensive photolithography.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Elyse Fleck, Alec Sunshine, Emma DeNatale, Charlise Keck, Alexandra McCann, Joseph Potkay
Summary: With the application of additive manufacturing technology, researchers have developed a gas-permeable and high-resolution PDMS resin, providing a new approach for the manufacturing of microfluidic devices.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Charalampos Tzivelekis, Matthew P. Selby, Albert Batet, Hojjat Madadi, Kenny Dalgarno
Summary: Additive manufacturing for microfluidics has the potential to enhance research in biotechnology and molecular diagnostics. This paper presents novel techniques for creating monolithic microfluidic chip geometry for PCR thermocycling using stereolithography. A two-stage printing protocol with projection SLA was used to print disposable oscillating-flow microfluidic cartridges for PCR, showing promising results in terms of print performance and material compatibility. Post-treatment steps such as UV light exposure and solvent washes were effective in reducing PCR inhibiting residuals and improving reaction facilitation.
JOURNAL OF MICROMECHANICS AND MICROENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Y. Alvarez-Brana, J. Etxebarria-Elezgarai, L. Ruiz de Larrinaga-Vicente, F. Benito-Lopez, L. Basabe-Desmonts
Summary: In order to facilitate the implementation of self-powered microfluidics, modular micropumps created through 3D printing have been developed. These micropumps have tunable and programmable characteristics, making them easily assemblable with microfluidic devices. A self-powered colorimetric test demonstrated the innovative potential of 3D printed micropumps in the field of self-powered microfluidics.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Dmitrii A. Komissarenko, Petr S. Sokolov, Anastasiya D. Evstigneeva, Igor Slyusar, Alexander S. Nartov, Pavel A. Volkov, Nikolay Lyskov, Pavel Evdokimov, Valery Putlayev, Alexey E. Dosovitsky
Summary: This article aims to explore the printability of scandia-stabilized zirconia ceramic parts using desktop and low-cost DLP 3D printer. Homogeneous slurries with appropriate rheological and UV-curing properties were prepared with scandia-stabilized zirconia powders. The ceramics showed promising Vickers microhardness and high ionic conductivity, demonstrating the potential of DLP as a method for fabricating scandia-stabilized zirconia parts for SOFC applications.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Madhusudan B. Kulkarni, K. Velmurugan, Jayabalan Nirmal, Sanket Goel
Summary: Nanomicelles are an excellent pharmaceutical carrier due to their small size, ability to reduce side effects and drug degradation, and improved penetration for ocular drug delivery. However, the existing methods for preparing nanomicelles are expensive and time-consuming. This study presents a portable and automated thermal management platform integrated with a microfluidic device for the preparation of Dexamethasone-loaded nanomicelles. The results show that the proposed device can perform efficient and controlled thermal reactions, making it suitable for various applications.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Hao Pu, Yuhao Guo, Zhicheng Cheng, Zhuoxi Chen, Jing Xiong, Xiaoyang Zhu, Jigang Huang
Summary: A stereolithography process with thermal assistance is proposed to achieve the improved performance of polymers prepared using stereolithography 3D printing. The experiment demonstrates that the polymer loaded with high solute can be precisely 3D-printed using the thermal-assisted projection stereolithography process, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties and biocompatibility.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Archish Muralidharan, Robert R. McLeod, Stephanie J. Bryant
Summary: PBAE-diacrylate resins offer a wide range of available chemistries and tunable material properties for 3D printing applications. Depending on the chemistry, these resins can exhibit varying degradation behaviors, from bulk degradation to surface degradation, with different degradation rates under accelerated conditions. The high-resolution 3D printed parts achieved through simple chemical modifications in the resins combined with projection microstereolithography have similar architectures and initial properties but diverse degradation behaviors.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mohammad Mirkhalaf, Xiao Wang, Ali Entezari, Colin R. Dunstan, Xinquan Jiang, Hala Zreiqat
Summary: This study investigated the effects of internal architecture of tissue scaffolds on healing critical-size bone defects. Results showed that pore interconnectivity and maximum fluid permeability in 3D space significantly impacted bone ingrowth, while surface convexity/concavity did not affect bone formation. High interconnected pore structures in scaffolds resulted in significantly tougher and stronger bioceramic/bone composites post-implantation.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Jigang Huang, Zhengda Chen, Cheng Wen, Tingxian Ling, Zhangwei Chen
Summary: This study presents a thermally assisted stereolithography process that balances the flowability and solute loadings in polymers for improved performance in 3D printing. The experiment demonstrates that the addition of PEG to PEGDA resin enhances its mechanical properties, such as hardness and Young's modulus. Compression tests also show a significant improvement in the compressive modulus of the resin with high loading of PEG. Additionally, cell proliferation experiments indicate that the PEG-loaded resin has higher cell activity. This research highlights the potential biomedical applications of the thermally assisted 3D printed resin and explores printable materials with improved performance.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stuart Scott, John Chew, Jonathan Barnard, Andrew Burrows, Martin Smith, Steven Tennison, Semali Perera
Summary: This study presents the manufacture of tailored carbon-based adsorbent structures with low-pressure drops and improved kinetics using stereolithographic 3D printing. The activated 3D printed carbon achieves high surface areas and exceptional adsorption capacities. These structures demonstrate excellent adsorption kinetics and offer potential applications in gas separation technologies.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maarten Blankespoor, Tomas Manzaneque, Murali Krishna Ghatkesar
Summary: This work proposes a new concept of pipetting liquid in discrete steps of known volume using axisymmetrical phaseguides in microfluidic channels. Three different variants of femtopipettes are fabricated using a multi-scale 3D printing strategy and demonstrated to achieve discrete pipetted volumes down to 50 femtoliters.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mian Wang, Wanlu Li, Luis S. Mille, Terry Ching, Zeyu Luo, Guosheng Tang, Carlos Ezio Garciamendez, Ami Lesha, Michinao Hashimoto, Yu Shrike Zhang
Summary: The study introduces a bio-printing system utilizing DLP technology to create gradients in real-time. By integrating a microfluidic mixer, gradients of inks can be precisely controlled, supporting various applications in the biomedical field.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Junlong Liao, Changqing Ye, Jie Guo, Carlos Ezio Garciamendez-Mijares, Prajwal Agrawal, Xiao Kuang, Julia Olga Japo, Zixuan Wang, Xuan Mu, Wanlu Li, Terry Ching, Luis Santiago Mille, Cun Zhu, Xingcai Zhang, Zhongze Gu, Yu Shrike Zhang
Summary: A printable CPC ink was developed and used with a 3D printing system to create CPC superstructures with complex structures and structural colors. The performance of the printed objects could be easily adjusted by modifying ink composition and printing parameters. This technology opens up possibilities for applications such as intelligent color displays and 3D integrated sensors.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Terry Ching, Jyothsna Vasudevan, Shu-Yung Chang, Hsih Yin Tan, Anupama Sargur Ranganath, Chwee Teck Lim, Javier G. Fernandez, Jun Jie Ng, Yi-Chin Toh, Michinao Hashimoto
Summary: This study introduces a versatile fabrication technique that combines microfluidics and bioprinting to generate cell-laden biomimetic vascular models. By using special molds and bioinks, freestanding and perfusable vascular constructs with complex geometries are fabricated. This technique holds potential for mechanistic understanding of cardiovascular diseases and the development of therapeutic interventions.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Louis Jun Ye Ong, Shumei Chia, Stephen Qi Rong Wong, Xiaoqian Zhang, Huiwen Chua, Jia Min Loo, Wei Yong Chua, Clarinda Chua, Emile Tan, Hannes Hentze, Iain Beehuat Tan, Ramanuj DasGupta, Yi-Chin Toh
Summary: Inter-patient and intra-tumour heterogeneity have led to the need for personalized cancer therapy. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are specific to individual patients, but they are not cost-effective and scalable. Tumour Organ-on-Chip (OoC) models can replicate aspects of the 3D tumour microenvironment and can be used for drug screening. However, there is limited validation to compare drug responses between tumour OoCs and PDX models.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
S. W. M. A. Ishantha Senevirathne, Yi-Chin Toh, Prasad K. D. Yarlagadda
Summary: Nanotopographic surfaces have been proven to effectively kill bacterial cells upon contact, providing an alternative method to fight against bacterial colonization and resistance. This study investigates how fluid flow affects bacterial cell adherence on nanotopographic surfaces, revealing that increasing flow rates significantly reduce the number of live cells, while increasing the number of dead cells adhering to the surface.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
S. W. M. A. Ishantha Senevirathne, Asha Mathew, Yi-Chin Toh, Prasad K. D. V. Yarlagadda
Summary: This study investigated the attachment and viability of bacteria on nanostructured surfaces under fluid flow conditions. The results showed that fluid flow significantly reduces bacterial adhesion and viability. These findings have important implications for the development and optimization of nanostructures in both laboratory and industrial applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thanh-An Truong, Tuan Khoa Nguyen, Xinghao Huang, Aditya Ashok, Sharda Yadav, Yoonseok Park, Mai Thanh Thai, Nhat-Khuong Nguyen, Hedieh Fallahi, Shuhua Peng, Sima Dimitrijev, Yi-Chin Toh, Yusuke Yamauchi, Chun Hui Wang, Nigel Hamilton Lovell, John Ashley Rogers, Thanh Nho Do, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Hangbo Zhao, Hoang-Phuong Phan
Summary: A stamping-free micromachining process is used to realize 3D flexible and stretchable wide bandgap electronics. Photolithography is applied on both sides of free-standing nanomembranes to create flexible structures directly on standard silicon wafers, allowing control over optical transparency and mechanical properties. The detachment and controlled mechanical buckling of the devices transform 2D wide bandgap semiconductors into complex 3D structures. This advancement in wide bandgap materials with 3D architectures will greatly facilitate the development of advanced 3D bio-electronics interfaces.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alastair Stewart, Delphine Denoyer, Xumei Gao, Yi-Chin Toh
Summary: The FDA Modernisation Act 2.0 brings about groundbreaking changes by allowing drug registration without the absolute requirement for animal use in safety toxicology assessment. We discuss the significant developments in the legislation and consider the implications of this latest chapter in the evolution of drug regulation, with a focus on the opportunities to incorporate microphysiological systems.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas G. Molley, Shouyuan Jiang, Louis Ong, Chantal Kopecky, Chavinya D. Ranaweera, Gagan K. Jalandhra, Laura Milton, Egi Kardia, Zeheng Zhou, Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina, Shafagh A. Waters, Yi-Chin Toh, Kristopher A. Kilian Abh
Summary: This work developed a high-loading enzyme encapsulation approach that precisely controls the oxygen content in cell culture, demonstrating its application in various cells and promoting neovascularization. This platform's simplicity and flexibility make it useful for studying oxygen-mediated processes in any in vitro or in vivo format.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jorge A. Catano, Steven Farthing, Zeus Mascarenhas, Nathaniel Lake, Prasad K. D. V. Yarlagadda, Zhiyong Li, Yi-Chin Toh
Summary: Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip (OoC) technology enables dynamic physiological studies and drug testing. Designing a microfluidic pump that can customize flow rates and profiles while maintaining low cost and small size is challenging. This study presents a 3D-printed mini-peristaltic pump that is user-friendly, compact, and affordable, making it suitable for various OoC applications.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Laura A. Milton, Matthew S. Viglione, Louis Jun Ye Ong, Gregory P. Nordin, Yi-Chin Toh
Summary: Organs-on-a-chip (OoCs) are microfluidic tissue culture devices that mimic biological phenomena. 3D printing, particularly vat photopolymerization methods like SLA and DLP, shows promise in accelerating the prototyping process and improving scalability of OoCs. This article provides a guide for end-users on 3D printing OoCs and highlights the requirements and considerations for successful fabrication.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
S. W. M. A. Ishantha Senevirathne, Asha Mathew, Yi-Chin Toh, Prasad K. D. V. Yarlagadda
Summary: This study analysed the effect of surface orientation, bacterial cell concentration, fluid flow rate, and exposure time on bacterial adhesion and viability on nanostructured surfaces. The results show that the bactericidal efficacy of the nanostructured surface is both orientation and bacterial species dependent.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chak Ming Leung, Pim de Haan, Kacey Ronaldson-Bouchard, Ge-Ah Kim, Jihoon Ko, Hoon Suk Rho, Zhu Chen, Pamela Habibovic, Noo Li Jeon, Shuichi Takayama, Michael L. Shuler, Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, Olivier Frey, Elisabeth Verpoorte, Yi-Chin Toh
Summary: This article introduces the basic concepts, applications, and development trends of organ-on-chip (OoC) technology, as well as factors to consider when developing application-specific OoCs.
NATURE REVIEWS METHODS PRIMERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Lor Huai Chong, Terry Ching, Hui Jia Farm, Gianluca Grenci, Keng-Hwee Chiam, Yi-Chin Toh
Summary: Adverse cutaneous reactions caused by drugs administered into the human body are potentially life-threatening skin side effects. Therefore, the development of a human-specific in vitro platform that can simulate complex multi-cellular interactions and predict skin sensitization potential of drugs is crucial for drug safety. We report a novel in vitro drug screening platform that uses a microfluidic multicellular coculture array to model different mechanisms and integrates cellular assays with a machine-learning algorithm to predict the skin sensitizing potential of drugs.
