Microalgae, similar to Odontella aurita and Tetraselmis striata, are rising as worthwhile assets for producing eco-friendly supplies utilized in 3D laser printing. A group of worldwide researchers, led by Prof. Dr. Eva Blasco at Heidelberg College’s Institute for Molecular Methods Engineering and Superior Supplies (IMSEAM), has efficiently developed progressive bioinks derived from these microalgae. These bioinks allow the exact fabrication of complicated, biocompatible 3D microstructures, with potential functions in creating implants and scaffolds for 3D cell cultures.
Microalgae: A Sustainable Supply for 3D Printing
3D laser printing, significantly two-photon 3D laser printing, is famend for its capacity to fabricate intricate micro- and nanoscale constructions with distinctive precision. Historically, this course of has relied on petrochemical-based polymers as the first ink materials. Nevertheless, these polymers pose environmental challenges, similar to contributing to fossil gasoline depletion, greenhouse gasoline emissions, and containing poisonous parts.
Microalgae provide a extra sustainable various. Their fast progress, CO2-fixation throughout cultivation, and pure biocompatibility make them preferrred candidates for producing environmentally pleasant supplies. Regardless of these benefits, microalgae have been largely missed in light-based 3D printing till now.
Prof. Blasco’s analysis group, working on the intersection of macromolecular chemistry, supplies science, and 3D nanofabrication, has made a breakthrough by extracting biocompatible supplies appropriate for high-resolution 3D laser printing from microalgae. They centered on two species, *Odontella aurita* and *Tetraselmis striata*, identified for his or her excessive lipid content material within the type of triglycerides. These triglycerides had been extracted and functionalized with acrylates to allow fast curing beneath mild irradiation. The inexperienced pigments current within the microalgae served as pure photoinitiators, triggering the chemical reactions wanted to solidify the ink into three-dimensional constructions.
Advancing Biocompatible 3D Printing
Some of the important achievements of this analysis is the elimination of doubtless poisonous components generally present in typical inks. “On this means, we keep away from utilizing doubtlessly poisonous components just like the photoinitiators utilized in typical inks,” explains Clara Vazquez-Martel, the research’s first creator and a doctoral candidate in Prof. Blasco’s group.
Utilizing the newly developed microalgae-based ink, the group efficiently produced varied 3D microstructures with intricate options, together with overhanging roofs and cavities. These constructions had been then examined for biocompatibility in cell tradition experiments. The outcomes had been spectacular, with an almost one hundred pc survival fee noticed in cells cultured on the 3D microscaffolds over 24 hours.
Prof. Blasco emphasised the broader implications of their findings, stating, “Our outcomes open up new prospects not just for extra sustainable 3D printing with mild but in addition for all times science functions – from 3D cell cultures to biocompatible implants.”
The analysis has been revealed in Superior Supplies and is obtainable right here.
