• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.86-92
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• 2016

In this study, we used a polymer deposition system, based on fused deposition modeling, to fabricate the 3D scaffold and then fabricated micro-pores on a 3D scaffold using a salt leaching method. Materials included polycaprolactone (PCL) and sodium chloride (NaCl). The 3D porous scaffolds were fabricated according to blending ratio such as PCL (70 wt%)/NaCl (30 wt%) and PCL (50 wt%)/NaCl (50 wt%). The 3D porous scaffolds were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that 3D porous scaffolds had a deposition width of $500{\mu}m$, contained a pore size of $500{\mu}m$ and below $100{\mu}m$. To evaluate the 3D porous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, we carried out the cell proliferation experiment using a CCK-8 and a mechanical strength test using a universal testing machine. In summary, the 3D porous scaffold was found to be suitable for cancellous bone of human in accordance with the result of in-vitro cell proliferation and mechanical strength. Thus, a 3D porous scaffold could be a promising approach for effective bone regeneration.

• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.1341-1344
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• 2020

In this study, a simple and effective way to fabricate highly porous scaffolds with controlled porosity and pore size is demonstrated. Ti-7Zr-6Sn-3Mo shape memory alloy fibers were prepared through a melt overflow process. The scaffolds with porosity of 65-85% and large pores of 100-700 ㎛ in size were fabricated by sintering the as-solidified fibers. Microstructures and transformation behaviors of the porous scaffolds were investigated by means of SEM, DSC and XRD. The scaffolds were composed of β phase at room temperature. Superelasticity with the superelastic recovery strain of 7.4% was achieved by β ↔ α" phase transformation. An effect of porosity on mechanical properties of porous scaffolds was investigated by using compressive test. As the porosity increased from 65% to 85%, elastic modulus and compressive strength decreased from 0.95 to 0.06 GPa and from 27 to 2 MPa, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.12.1-12.1
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• 2009

Nano-hydroxyapatite (N-HAp)has shown the pivotal role in producing bone-regenerative materials since it has similarity to natural bone minerals in terms of size, morphology, and the composition. Currently, the combination of biopolymers and N-HAp is recognizedas an attractive approach in generating hybrid scaffolds for bone tissueengineering. Surface engineering is an important issue since it determines whether cells can effectively adhere and proliferate on porous scaffolds. We aim to develop a synthetic approach to porous 3D scaffolds by immobilizing N-HAp on pore surfaces. The discrete nano-level anchoring of N-HAp on the scaffold pore surface is achieved using surface-repellent stable colloidal N-HAp with surface phosphate functionality. This rational surface engineering enables surface-anchored N-HAp to express its overall intrinsic bioactivity,since N-HAp is not phase-mixed with the polymers. The porous polymer scaffolds with surface-immobilized N-HAp provide more favorable environments thanconventional bulk phase-mixed polymer/N-HAp scaffolds in terms of cellular interaction and growth. In vitro biological evaluation using alkalinephosphatase activity assay supports that immobilized N-HAp on pore surfaces of polymer scaffolds contributed to the more enhanced in vitro osteogenicpotential. Besides, the scaffolds with surface-exposed N-HAp provide favorable environments for enhanced in vivo bone tissue growth, estimated by characteristic biomarkers of bone formation such as collagen. The results suggest that newly developed hybrid scaffolds with surface-immobilized N-HApmay serve as a useful 3D substrate with pore surfaces featuring excellent bonetissue-regenerative properties. Acknowledgement. This research was supported by a grant (code #: 2009K000430) from 'Center for Nanostructured Materials Technology' under '21st Century Frontier R&D Programs' of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.213-214
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• 2007

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.2295-2298
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• 2012

We describe herein a three-dimensionally diverse micropatterning of poly(lactic acid), as a biopolymer, using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquids (bmim-based RTILs), [bmim]X (X = $SbF_6$, $PF_6$, $NTf_2$, Cl). Utilizing the hydrophobic bmim-based RTILs, [bmim]X (X = $SbF_6$, $PF_6$, $NTf_2$) and a phase separation technique, we were able to produce white and opaque membranes with a three-dimensional structure closely packed with particles ($10-50{\mu}m$ in diameter). The particlulate structure, made by the assistance of [bmim]$NTf_2$ and DCM, interestingly transformed to a fibrous structure by using a cosolvent, e.g., DCM/$CF_3CH_2OH$. When we used an increased amount of [bmim]$NTf_2$, the particles were effectively detached and macrosized ($100-500{\mu}m$ in diameter) and the oval-shaped beads were obtained in a powder form. By varying the counter-anion type of the imidazolium-based RTIL, for example from $NTf_2^-$ to $Cl^-$, the particulate 3D-morphology was once more transformed to a porous structure. These reserch results could be potentially useful, as a method to fabricate particulate scaffolds, fibrous or porous scaffolds, and beads as a biopolymer device in diverse fields including drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and biomedical engineering.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.192-196
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• 2014

Collagen scaffolds were synthesized by cross linking into a solution mixture of 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl] carbodiimide hydrochlorid(EDC) in ethanol, followed by pressing, cleaning and lyophilization process after the type I atelo-collagen solutions in D.I water(pH3). The experimental conditions are collagen concentration of 1.0 wt%, 3.0 wt%, 5.0 wt% and differential concentration of cross-linker. Then, parametric studies were performed by varying the parameters to investigate the morphology, the porosity, the swelling ratio and the thickness and genotoxicity of the scaffolds. The scaffolds thickness pattern was regular to concentration of the degree of cross-linker and collagen. It was observed that the swelling ratio, the degree of crosslink, and the pore size(thickness of scaffold) can be controlled by adjusting the collagen, crosslinker. Among the parameters investigated, the smallest thickness can be achieved by collagen, crosslinker concentrate condition. The collagen scaffold is induced no genotoxicity. The lowest swelling ratio, as an indication of the highest degree of crosslink, can be obtained by adding crosslink agent.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.56.2-56.2
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• 2012

Clinically-favored materials for bone regeneration are mainly based on bioceramics due to their chemical similarity to the mineral phase of bone. A successful scaffold in bone regeneration should have a 3D interconnected pore structure with the proper biodegradability, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and mechanical property. The pore architecture and mechanical properties mainly dependent on the fabrication process. Bioceramics scaffolds are fabricated by polymer sponge method, freeze drying, and melt molding process in general. However, these typical processes have some shortcomings in both the structure and interconnectivity of pores and in controlling the mechanical stability. To overcome this limitation, the rapid prototyping (RP) technique have newly proposed. Researchers have suggested RP system in fabricating bioceramics scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration using selective laser sintering, powder printing with an organic binder to form green bodies prior to sintering. Meanwhile, sintering process in high temperature leads to bad cost performance, unexpected crystallization, unstable mechanical property, and low bio-functional performance. The development of RP process without high thermal treatment is especially important to enhance biofunctional performance of scaffold. The purpose of this study is development of new process to fabricate ceramic scaffold at room temperature. The structural properties of the scaffolds were analyzed by XRD, FE-SEM and TEM studies. The biological performance of the scaffolds was also evaluated by monitoring the cellular activity.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.255-266
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• 2008

In tissue engineering, scaffolds play an important role in the growth of cells to 3-D organs or tissues. For the success of tissue engineering, they should be mimicked to meet the requirements of natural extracellular matrix (ECM) in the body, such as mechanical properties, adhesiveness, porosity, biodegradability, and growth factor release, etc. Contrary to other materials, polymeric materials are adequate to engineer scaffolds for tissue engineering because controlling the structure and the ratio of components and designing various shapes and size are possible. In this review, the importance, major characteristics, processes, and recent examples of polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering applications are discussed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.612-622
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• 2023

T-cell deficiency may occur in various clinical conditions including congenital defects, cell/organ transplantation, HIV infection and aging. In this regard, the development of artificial thymus has recently been attracting much attention. To achieve this aim, the development of techniques for 3D culture of thymic stromal cells is necessary because thymocytes grown only in a 3D thymic microenvironment can be differentiated fully to become mature, immunocompetent T cells; the same cannot be achieved for thymocytes grown in 2D. This study aimed to develop a nanotechnology-based 3D culture technique using polymeric scaffolds for thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the main component of thymic stromal cells. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the pores of both PCL and PCL/PLGA scaffolds were filled with TECs. Interestingly, TECs grown in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds exhibited enhanced cell attachment and proliferation compared to those grown on non-coated scaffolds. In addition, the gene expression of thymopoietic factors was upregulated in TECs cultured in 3D on polydopamine-coated scaffolds compared to those cultured in 2D. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate an efficient 3D culture model for TECs using polymeric scaffolds and provide new insights into a novel platform technology that can be applied to develop functional, biocompatible scaffolds for the 3D culture of thymocytes. This will eventually shed light on techniques for the in vitro development of T cells as well as the synthesis of artificial thymus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.108-115
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• 2018

In bone tissue engineering, polycaprolactone (PCL) is one of the most widely used biomaterials to manufacture scaffolds as a synthetic polymer with biodegradability and biocompatibility. The polymer deposition system (PDS) with four axis heads, which can dispense bio-polymers, has been used in scaffold fabrication for tissue engineering applications. A dual-head deposition technology of PDS is an effective technique to fabricate 3D scaffolds. The electrospinning technology has been widely used to fabricate porous and highly interconnected polymer fibers. Thus, PDS can fabricate nanofiber-combined hybrid scaffolds using fused deposition modeling (FDM) and electrospinning methods. This study aims to fabricate nanofiber-combined scaffolds with uniform nanofibers using PDS. The PCL nanofibers were fabricated and evaluated according to the fabrication process parameters. PCL nanofibers were successfully fabricated when the applied voltage, tip-to-collector distance, flow rate, and solution concentration were 5 kV, 1 cm, 0.1 ml/h, and 8 wt%, respectively. The cell proliferation was evaluated according to the electrospinning time. Scanning electron microscopy was used to acquire images of the cross-sectioned hybrid scaffolds. The cell proliferation test of the PCL and nanofiber-combined hybrid scaffolds was performed using a CCK-8 assay according to the electrospinning time. The result of in-vitro cell proliferation using osteosarcoma MG-63 cells shows that the hybrid scaffold has good potential for bone regeneration.