Bone defects remain a major threat to human health and bone tissue regeneration has become a prominent clinical demand worldwide. The combination of microRNA (miRNA) therapy with 3D printed scaffolds has always posed a challenge. It can mimic physiological bone healing processes, in which a biodegradable scaffold is gradually replaced by neo-tissue, and the sustained release of miRNA plays a vital role in creating an optimal osteogenic microenvironment, thus achieving promising bone repair outcomes. However, the balance between two key factors – scaffold degradation behavior and miRNA release profile – on osteogenesis and bone formation is still poorly understood. Herein,…
Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is a nontraditional surface finishing method that finishes complex surface by pushing the abrasive media flow through the workpiece surface. The entrance effect that the material removal increases at the entrance of changing the cross-sectional flow channel is a difficult problem for AFM. In this paper, the effects of media rheological properties on the entrance effect are discussed. To explore the effects of the media’s viscoelasticity on the entrance effect, two sets of media with different viscoelasticity properties are adopted to study their rheological and machining performances in the designed flow channel with a contraction area….
Gelatin/Alginate hydrogels were engineered for bioplotting in tissue engineering. One major drawback of hydrogel scaffolds is the lack of adequate mechanical properties. In this study, using a bioplotter, we constructed the scaffolds with different pore architectures by deposition of gelatin/alginate hydrogels layer-by-layer. The scaffolds with different crosslinking degree were obtained by post-crosslinking methods. Their physicochemical properties, as well as cell viability, were assessed. Different crosslinking methods had little influence on scaffold architecture, porosity, pore size and distribution. By contrast, the water absorption ability, degradation rate and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were dramatically affected by treatment with various concentrations of…