3D Printing (w/Light) to Create Hydrogel Molds for Fabricating Tissue Models

This rendering depicts a 3D bioprinter that creates 3D objects layer by layer via visible light instead of extruding through a nozzle like a traditional 3D printer. This printer works by shining light on the surface of your pre-formed light-sensitive material to permanently bond (crosslink) the material into solid with a defined shape. Since this process is layer by layer, during each layer a new projection is illuminated onto the surface (Imagine slicing a 3D object horizontally a bunch of times and looking at each slice. This is what is being projected each layer) that creates a 3D object over time. You can see the object and holder moves up and down after each layer. This is because new pre-formed material needs to get under the object to print the next layer. The light intensity, light exposure time/layer, how fast you move the object up/down and photo-absorber concentrations all control the overall resolution and quality of the printed object. The materials printed here are soft, hydrogel materials that are fabricated into 3D printed molds that can be used for tissue models. This was created for colleagues in my lab that use this technique to probe meniscus and cardiac (heart) tissues.