PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION

2016

Additive Manufacturing of a Photo-Cross-Linkable Polymer via Direct Melt Electrospinning Writing for Producing High Strength Structures

Chen F, Hochleitner G, et al.

Biomacromolecules

Queen's University, University of Würzburg, University of Otago Christchurch

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This study demonstrates the fabrication of high-strength, melt-electrospun scaffolds using a photo-cross-linkable poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone-co-acryloyl carbonate) polymer processed via direct melt electrospinning writing (MEW). UV photo-cross-linking increased scaffold stiffness by nearly an order of magnitude and substantially reduced water-induced plasticization. Mechanical testing showed that cross-linked scaffolds retained a high average fiber modulus (~370 MPa) under hydrated conditions and exhibited exceptional resistance to cyclic tensile loading, surviving up to 200,000 load cycles without failure. These results establish MEW-fabricated, photo-cross-linked scaffolds as mechanically robust candidates for soft connective tissue engineering applications requiring long-term dynamic loading.

Scaffolds were mounted in the CellScale MechanoCulture T6 bioreactor and subjected to cyclic tensile loading at 10% strain, 1 Hz frequency, for 10,000 cycles at 37 °C in water. This dynamic loading tested scaffold fatigue and modulus retention. Cross-linked scaffolds maintained structural integrity and modulus throughout, while most uncross-linked samples failed within 2,500 cycles, showing the T6 system’s role in demonstrating long-term mechanical resilience of the new polymer.

AUTHORS

Fei Chen, Gernot Hochleitner, Tim Woodfield, Juergen Groll, Paul D. Dalton, Brian G. Amsden.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

JOURNAL

Biomacromolecules

YEAR

2016

INSTITUTIONS

Queen's University, University of Würzburg, University of Otago Christchurch

COUNTRIES

Canada, Germany, New Zealand

INSTRUMENT USED

MechanoCulture T6

TESTING METHODS

Fatigue TestingHydrated and Temperature Controlled TestingTensile TestingViscoelastic & Time-Dependent Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

Injectable & Regenerative BiomaterialsMaterial Fatigue and DurabilityMembranes and Thin Films MechanicsPolymers and Elastomers TestingScaffold Mechanical Testing

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