Three-Dimensional Printed Biomimetic Elastomeric Scaffolds: Experimental Study of Surface Roughness and Pore Generation

Tissue engineering is an emerging field within biomedicine, related to developing functional substitutes for damaged tissues or organs. Despite significant advancements, the development of effective engineering tissue constructs remains challenging, particularly when replicating elastic stretchabili...

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Main Authors: Daniele Marazzi, Federica Trovalusci, Paolo Di Nardo, Felicia Carotenuto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Biomimetics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/10/2/95
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author Daniele Marazzi
Federica Trovalusci
Paolo Di Nardo
Felicia Carotenuto
author_facet Daniele Marazzi
Federica Trovalusci
Paolo Di Nardo
Felicia Carotenuto
author_sort Daniele Marazzi
collection DOAJ
description Tissue engineering is an emerging field within biomedicine, related to developing functional substitutes for damaged tissues or organs. Despite significant advancements, the development of effective engineering tissue constructs remains challenging, particularly when replicating elastic stretchability, which plays a critical role in many tissues. Therefore, the development of tough, elastomeric scaffolds that mimic the complex elasticity of native tissues, such as the myocardium, heart valves, and blood vessels, is of particular interest. This study aims to evaluate a flexible printable material (Formlabs’ Elastic 50A Resin V2) to develop porous 3D scaffolds using additive manufacturing stereolithography (SLA). The elastomeric samples were tested in relation to their swelling behaviour, mechanical properties, and exposure to low temperatures. Additionally, the effects of print orientation, water immersion, and exposure to low temperatures on surface roughness and porosity were investigated to determine the best conditions to enhance scaffold performance in biomedical applications. The results demonstrated that samples printed at 0°, immersed in water, and exposed to low temperature (−80 °C) showed a more uniform microporosity, which could improve the adhesion and growth of cells on the scaffold. This research highlights a practical and economical approach to enhancing elastomeric scaffolds, paving the way for improved outcomes in tissue engineering applications.
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spelling doaj-art-fab2e248e6ed4fbbbc8a5a97b90229052025-08-20T02:44:40ZengMDPI AGBiomimetics2313-76732025-02-011029510.3390/biomimetics10020095Three-Dimensional Printed Biomimetic Elastomeric Scaffolds: Experimental Study of Surface Roughness and Pore GenerationDaniele Marazzi0Federica Trovalusci1Paolo Di Nardo2Felicia Carotenuto3Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Enterprise Engineering, Mario Lucertini University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, ItalyInterdepartmental Center for Regenerative Medicine (CIMER), University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, ItalyTissue engineering is an emerging field within biomedicine, related to developing functional substitutes for damaged tissues or organs. Despite significant advancements, the development of effective engineering tissue constructs remains challenging, particularly when replicating elastic stretchability, which plays a critical role in many tissues. Therefore, the development of tough, elastomeric scaffolds that mimic the complex elasticity of native tissues, such as the myocardium, heart valves, and blood vessels, is of particular interest. This study aims to evaluate a flexible printable material (Formlabs’ Elastic 50A Resin V2) to develop porous 3D scaffolds using additive manufacturing stereolithography (SLA). The elastomeric samples were tested in relation to their swelling behaviour, mechanical properties, and exposure to low temperatures. Additionally, the effects of print orientation, water immersion, and exposure to low temperatures on surface roughness and porosity were investigated to determine the best conditions to enhance scaffold performance in biomedical applications. The results demonstrated that samples printed at 0°, immersed in water, and exposed to low temperature (−80 °C) showed a more uniform microporosity, which could improve the adhesion and growth of cells on the scaffold. This research highlights a practical and economical approach to enhancing elastomeric scaffolds, paving the way for improved outcomes in tissue engineering applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/10/2/95biomimetic scaffoldelastomeric resinsurface porosityroughnessprinting orientationadditive manufacturing
spellingShingle Daniele Marazzi
Federica Trovalusci
Paolo Di Nardo
Felicia Carotenuto
Three-Dimensional Printed Biomimetic Elastomeric Scaffolds: Experimental Study of Surface Roughness and Pore Generation
Biomimetics
biomimetic scaffold
elastomeric resin
surface porosity
roughness
printing orientation
additive manufacturing
title Three-Dimensional Printed Biomimetic Elastomeric Scaffolds: Experimental Study of Surface Roughness and Pore Generation
title_full Three-Dimensional Printed Biomimetic Elastomeric Scaffolds: Experimental Study of Surface Roughness and Pore Generation
title_fullStr Three-Dimensional Printed Biomimetic Elastomeric Scaffolds: Experimental Study of Surface Roughness and Pore Generation
title_full_unstemmed Three-Dimensional Printed Biomimetic Elastomeric Scaffolds: Experimental Study of Surface Roughness and Pore Generation
title_short Three-Dimensional Printed Biomimetic Elastomeric Scaffolds: Experimental Study of Surface Roughness and Pore Generation
title_sort three dimensional printed biomimetic elastomeric scaffolds experimental study of surface roughness and pore generation
topic biomimetic scaffold
elastomeric resin
surface porosity
roughness
printing orientation
additive manufacturing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/10/2/95
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AT federicatrovalusci threedimensionalprintedbiomimeticelastomericscaffoldsexperimentalstudyofsurfaceroughnessandporegeneration
AT paolodinardo threedimensionalprintedbiomimeticelastomericscaffoldsexperimentalstudyofsurfaceroughnessandporegeneration
AT feliciacarotenuto threedimensionalprintedbiomimeticelastomericscaffoldsexperimentalstudyofsurfaceroughnessandporegeneration