Researchers develop novel 3D printing strategy with controllable gradient pore structures

Material extrusion technology in 3D printing is often used in biofabrication, tissue engineering, flexible electronics and soft robotics. However, fixed printing parameters and constant filament diameters limit the design of complex gradient pore structures. A research team led by Prof. Ruan Changshun from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has developed a filament diameter adaptable 3D printing strategy (FDA-3DP).

As part of this study, the researchers developed a workflow from parametric model development to extrusion printing. This includes adjusting the printing speed and height along the trajectory to achieve precise control of the filament diameter at each point.

The experimental results show that the FDA-3DP strategy enables the fabrication of one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional gradient pore structures using conventional DIW extrusion 3D printers. This capability significantly expands the processing capabilities of the filament-based additive manufacturing process. This has far-reaching applications in biomimetic manufacturing and bioprinting, particularly for printing bone, cartilage and blood vessels.

Overall, this research shows that 3D printing with variable filament diameters is a promising method for producing complex, application-specific structures. This could play a decisive role in biotechnology and the production of biological tissue in particular and drive further innovations in these areas.