Recently, four-dimensional (4D) printing has appeared as an emerging alternative of personalized fabrications of various 3D objects. It relies on introducing stimulant into a printed 2D structure making a fast fabrication. By utilizing stimuli-responsive (also known as shape memory) materials and existing 3D printing strategies, 4D printing aims to create dynamic 3D patterned or complex structures that is capable of transforming from one shape to another, right off the print bed under various stimuli such as temperature. The aim of this project is to fabricate the next generation self-expandable polymeric biomaterials (e.g. stent) via a novel 4D printing approach.
Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering
March 2020
(I) Development of the bio-inks and 3D printing of the biomaterials
1. Development of polymeric printing materials or 3D printing filaments (blank and drug loaded) using novel smart biomaterials or stimuli responsive polymers
2. Fabrication of biomaterials using the developed polymeric filaments by means of 3D printing
(II) Characterisations of the developed biomaterials
4. Mechanical and Physico-chemical characterisations of the bulk materials, manufactured inks and the developed medical implants
5. In vitro cell culture to assess the proliferation, toxicity, cell viability etc.
6. Appropriate animal models for in vivo assessment of the fabricated biomaterials.
