3D Near-Field Electrospinning of Biomaterial Microfibers with Potential for Blended Microfiber-Cell-Loaded Gel Composite Structures

This paper describes the development of a novel low-cost and efficient method, 3D near-field electrospinning, to fabricate high-resolution, and repeatable 3D polymeric fiber patterns on nonconductive materials with potential use in tissue engineering. This technology is based on readily available hobbyist grade 3D printers. The result is exquisite control of the deposition of single fibers in an automated manner. Additionally, the fabrication of various fiber patterns, which are subsequently translated to unique cellular patterns, is demonstrated. Finally, poly(methyl methacrylate) fibers are printed within 3D collagen gels loaded with cells to introduce anisotropic properties of polymeric fibers within the cell-loaded gels.

3D Near-Field Electrospinning (3DNFES) is a new method for printing polymeric fibers in highly organized, controlled, and reproducible manner. 3DNFES offers several significant advantages including: (1) producing precise patterns of fibers on relatively large-scale area, (2) printing in all three directions, (3) offering an inexpensive method, and (4) readily combines with other prepatterned nanostructures or microstructures such as gels.

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