Effects of capsaicin loads on the properties of capsicum leaf protein-based nanocellulose composite films.

This study aims to enhance the functionality of conventional protein-based nanocellulose composite films (PNCF) to meet the high demand for natural antimicrobial packaging films. Capsicum leaf protein (CLP) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from capsicum leaves were used as raw materials. Capsaicin, an essential antibacterial active ingredient in the capsicum plant, was used as an additive. The influence of different capsaicin loads on PNCF physicochemical and material properties was investigated under alkaline conditions. The results show that all film-forming liquids (FFLs) are non-Newtonian fluids with shear thinning behavior. When the capsaicin loading exceeds 20 %, the surface microstructure of PNCF changes from dense lamellar to rod-like. Capsaicin did not alter the PNCF crystal structure, thermal stability or chemical bonding. Capsaicin can be loaded onto the PNCF surface by intermolecular hydrogen bonding reactions with CLP and CNC, preserving capsaicin's biological activity. With increasing capsaicin loads from 0 % to 50 %, the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of PNCF decreased, whereas the diameter of the inhibition zone increased. All PNCFs have UV-blocking properties with potential applications in developing biodegradable food packaging materials. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of capsicum cultivation waste and the preparation of novel PNCF.

Bioactive coating provides antimicrobial protection through immunomodulation and phage therapeutics.

Medical implant-associated infections (IAI) is a growing threat to patients undergoing implantation surgery. IAI prevention typically relies on medical implants endowed with bactericidal properties achieved through surface modifications with antibiotics. However, the clinical efficacy of this traditional paradigm remains suboptimal, often necessitating revision surgery and posing potentially lethal consequences for patients. To bolster the existing anti-IAI arsenal, we propose herein a chitosan-based bioactive coating, i.e., ChitoAntibac, which exerts bacteria-inhibitory effects either through immune modulation or phage-directed microbial clearance, without relying on conventional antibiotics. The immuno-stimulating effects and phage-induced bactericidal properties can be tailored by engineering the loading dynamic of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which polarizes macrophages towards the proinflammatory subtype (M1) with enhanced bacterial phagocytosis, and Staphylococcal Phage K, resulting in rapid and targeted pathogenic clearance (>99.99%) in less than 8 h. Our innovative antibacterial coating opens a new avenue in the pursuit of effective IAI prevention through immuno-stimulation and phage therapeutics.

Insight into the effect of different nanocellulose types on protein-based bionanocomposite film properties.

This paper investigates the effect of five different types of nanocellulose on the properties of protein-based bionanocomposite films (PBBFs) and the mechanism of action. The results show that TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose (TNC) PBBFs have the smoothest surface structure. This is because some hydroxyl groups in TNC are converted to carboxyl groups, increasing hydrogen bonding and cross-linking with proteins. Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) PBBFs have the highest crystallinity. Filamentous BNC can form an interlocking network with protein, promoting effective stress transfer in the PBBFs with maximum tensile strength. The PBBFs of lignin nanocellulose (LNC) have superior elasticity due to the presence of lignin, which gives them the greatest creep properties. The PBBFs of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have the largest water contact angle. This is because the small particle size of CNC can be uniformly distributed in the protein matrix. The different types of nanocellulose differ in their microscopic morphology and the number of hydroxyl groups and hydrogen bonding sites on their surfaces. Therefore, there are differences in the spatial distribution and the degree of intermolecular cross-linking of different types of nanocellulose in the protein matrix. This is the main reason for the differences in the material properties of PBBFs.

Recent Progress in Research of Additive Manufacturing for Polymers.

Additive manufacturing (AM) methods have grown and evolved rapidly in recent years [...].

Use of Fumed Silica Nanostructured Additives in Selective Laser Melting and Fabrication of Steel Matrix Nanocomposites.

The advancement of additive manufacturing (AM) for metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) is gaining enormous attention due to their potential improvement of physical and mechanical performance. When using nanostructured additives as reinforcements in 3D printed metal composites and with the aid of selective laser melting (SLM), the mechanical properties of the composites can be tailored. The nanostructured additive AEROSIL® fumed silica is both cost-effective and beneficial in the production of MMNCs using SLM. In this study, both hydrophobic and hydrophilic fumed silicas were shown to successfully achieve homogenous blends with commercial 316L stainless steel powder. The powder blends, which exhibited better flow, were then used to fabricate samples using SLM. The samples' microstructure demonstrated that smaller grains were present in the composites, resulting in improvements in mechanical properties by grain refinement compared to those of 316L stainless steel samples.

Preliminary Investigation on the Geometric Accuracy of 3D Printed Dental Implant Using a Monkey Maxilla Incisor Model.

Additive manufacturing has proven to be a viable alternative to conventional manufacturing methodologies for metallic implants due to its capability to customize and fabricate novel and complex geometries. Specific to its use in dental applications, various groups have reported successful outcomes for customized root-analog dental implants in preclinical and clinical studies. However, geometrical accuracy of the fabricated samples has never been analyzed. In this article, we studied the geometric accuracy of a 3D printed titanium dental implant design against the tooth root of the monkey maxilla incisor. Monkey maxillas were scanned using cone-beam computed tomography, then segmentation of the incisor tooth roots was performed before the fabrication of titanium dental implants using a laser powder bed fusion (PBF) process. Our results showed 68.70% ± 5.63 accuracy of the 3D printed dental implant compared to the actual tooth (n = 8), where main regions of inaccuracies were found at the tooth apex. The laser PBF fabrication process of the dental implants showed a relatively high level of accuracy of 90.59% ± 4.75 accuracy (n = 8). Our eventual goal is to develop an accurate workflow methodology to support the fabrication of patient-specific 3D-printed titanium dental implants that mimic patients' tooth anatomy and fit precisely within the socket upon tooth extraction. This is essential for promoting primary stability and osseointegration of dental implants in the longer term.

Perspectives on Additive Manufacturing Enabled Beta-Titanium Alloys for Biomedical Applications.

"Stress shielding" caused by the mismatch of modulus between the implant and natural bones, is one of the major problems faced by current commercially used biomedical materials. Beta-titanium (ß-Ti) alloys are a class of materials that have received increased interest in the biomedical field due to their relatively low elastic modulus and excellent biocompatibility. Due to their lower modulus, ß-Ti alloys have the potential to reduce "stress shielding." Powder bed fusion (PBF), a category of additive manufacturing, or more commonly known as 3D printing techniques, has been used to process ß-Ti alloys. In this perspective article, the emerging research of PBF of ß-Ti alloys is covered. The potential and limitations of using PBF for these materials in biomedical applications are also elucidated with focus on the perspectives from processes, materials, and designs. Finally, future trends and potential research topics are highlighted.

Emerging Materials for Additive Manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing (AM) has grown and evolved rapidly in recent years [...].

Fabrication and Characterization of 3D Bioprinted Triple-layered Human Alveolar Lung Models.

The global prevalence of respiratory diseases caused by infectious pathogens has resulted in an increased demand for realistic in-vitro alveolar lung models to serve as suitable disease models. This demand has resulted in the fabrication of numerous two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) in-vitro alveolar lung models. The ability to fabricate these 3D in-vitro alveolar lung models in an automated manner with high repeatability and reliability is important for potential scalable production. In this study, we reported the fabrication of human triple-layered alveolar lung models comprising of human lung epithelial cells, human endothelial cells, and human lung fibroblasts using the drop-on-demand (DOD) 3D bioprinting technique. The polyvinylpyrrolidone-based bio-inks and the use of a 300 mm nozzle diameter improved the repeatability of the bioprinting process by achieving consistent cell output over time using different human alveolar lung cells. The 3D bioprinted human triple-layered alveolar lung models were able to maintain cell viability with relative similar proliferation profile over time as compared to non-printed cells. This DOD 3D bioprinting platform offers an attractive tool for highly repeatable and scalable fabrication of 3D in-vitro human alveolar lung models.

Process-Structure-Properties in Polymer Additive Manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing (AM) methods have grown and evolved rapidly in recent years [...].

3D Printed Silicone Meniscus Implants: Influence of the 3D Printing Process on Properties of Silicone Implants.

Osteoarthritis of the knee with meniscal pathologies is a severe meniscal pathology suffered by the aging population worldwide. However, conventional meniscal substitutes are not 3D-printable and lack the customizability of 3D printed implants and are not mechanically robust enough for human implantation. Similarly, 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds suffer from drawbacks of being mechanically weak and as a result patients are unable to execute immediate post-surgical weight-bearing ambulation and rehabilitation. To solve this problem, we have developed a 3D silicone meniscus implant which is (1) cytocompatible, (2) resistant to cyclic loading and mechanically similar to native meniscus, and (3) directly 3D printable. The main focus of this study is to determine whether the purity, composition, structure, dimensions and mechanical properties of silicone implants are affected by the use of a custom-made in-house 3D-printer. We have used the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) absorption test, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, surface profilometry, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to effectively assess and compare material properties between molded and 3D printed silicone samples.

Laser powder bed fusion of titanium-tantalum alloys: Compositions and designs for biomedical applications.

In this study, laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), also known as selective laser melting (SLM), was used to fabricate samples of titanium-tantalum (TiTa) alloys with 0, 10, 30 and 50 wt% of tantalum using in-situ alloying. As-fabricated samples comprised of randomly-dispersed pure tantalum particles in a titanium-tantalum matrix. Porosity and unmelted tantalum particles of the samples were revealed using an optical microscope (OM). The microstructure of the alloys were determined by combination of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of the alloys were investigated with tensile and Vickers hardness tests. To ascertain the suitability of these alloys as biomaterials, Ti50Ta scaffolds with 60% porosity were characterized biologically. This study further shows that porous TiTa scaffolds fabricated using L-PBF are biocompatible with comparable biological results and manufacturability as Ti6Al4V and commercially pure titanium, based on the results obtained from cell culture with human osteosarcoma cell line SAOS-2.

3D Direct Printing of Silicone Meniscus Implant Using a Novel Heat-Cured Extrusion-Based Printer.

The first successful direct 3D printing, or additive manufacturing (AM), of heat-cured silicone meniscal implants, using biocompatible and bio-implantable silicone resins is reported. Silicone implants have conventionally been manufactured by indirect silicone casting and molding methods which are expensive and time-consuming. A novel custom-made heat-curing extrusion-based silicone 3D printer which is capable of directly 3D printing medical silicone implants is introduced. The rheological study of silicone resins and the optimization of critical process parameters are described in detail. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies of the printed silicone meniscus implant were also included. A time-lapsed simulation study of the heated silicone resin within the nozzle using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was done and the results obtained closely resembled real time 3D printing. Solidworks one-convection model simulation, when compared to the on-off model, more closely correlated with the actual probed temperature. Finally, comparative mechanical study between 3D printed and heat-molded meniscus is conducted. The novel 3D printing process opens up the opportunities for rapid 3D printing of various customizable medical silicone implants and devices for patients and fills the current gap in the additive manufacturing industry.

3D bioprinting processes: A perspective on classification and terminology.

This article aims to provide further classification of cell-compatible bioprinting processes and examine the concept of 3D bioprinting within the general technology field of 3D printing. These technologies are categorized into four distinct process categories, namely material jetting, vat photopolymerization, material extrusion and free-form spatial printing. Discussion will be presented on the definition of classification with example of techniques grouped under the same category. The objective of this article is to establish a basic framework for standardization of process terminology in order to accelerate the implementation of bioprinting technologies in research and commercial landscape.

Investigation of Quasi-Static Indentation Response of Inkjet Printed Sandwich Structures under Various Indenter Geometries.

The objective of this investigation was to determine the quasi-static indentation response and failure mode in three-dimensional (3D) printed trapezoidal core structures, and to characterize the energy absorbed by the structures. In this work, the trapezoidal sandwich structure was designed in the following two ways. Firstly, the trapezoidal core along with its facesheet was 3D printed as a single element comprising a single material for both core and facesheet (type A); Secondly, the trapezoidal core along with facesheet was 3D printed, but with variation in facesheet materials (type B). Quasi-static indentation was carried out using three different indenters, namely standard hemispherical, conical, and flat indenters. Acoustic emission (AE) technique was used to capture brittle cracking in the specimens during indentation. The major failure modes were found to be brittle failure and quasi-brittle fractures. The measured indentation energy was at a maximum when using a conical indenter at 9.40 J and 9.66 J and was at a minimum when using a hemispherical indenter at 6.87 J and 8.82 J for type A and type B series specimens respectively. The observed maximum indenter displacements at failure were the effect of material variations and composite configurations in the facesheet.

Fabrication of titanium based biphasic scaffold using selective laser melting and collagen immersion.

Tissue engineering approaches have been adopted to address challenges in osteochondral tissue regeneration. Single phase scaffolds, which consist of only one single material throughout the whole structure, have been used extensively in these tissue engineering approaches. However, a single phase scaffold is insufficient in providing all the properties required for regeneration and repair of osteochondral defects. Biphasic scaffolds with two distinct phases of titanium/type 1 c ollagen and titanium-tantalum/type 1 collagen were developed for the first time using selective laser melting and collagen infiltration. Observation of the biphasic scaffolds demonstrated continuous interface between the two phases and mechanical characterization of the metallic scaffolds support the feasibility of the newly developed scaffolds for tissue engineering in osteochondral defects.

Laser and electron-beam powder-bed additive manufacturing of metallic implants: A review on processes, materials and designs.

Additive manufacturing (AM), also commonly known as 3D printing, allows the direct fabrication of functional parts with complex shapes from digital models. In this review, the current progress of two AM processes suitable for metallic orthopaedic implant applications, namely selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM) are presented. Several critical design factors such as the need for data acquisition for patient-specific design, design dependent porosity for osteo-inductive implants, surface topology of the implants and design for reduction of stress-shielding in implants are discussed. Additive manufactured biomaterials such as 316L stainless steel, titanium-6aluminium-4vanadium (Ti6Al4V) and cobalt-chromium (CoCr) are highlighted. Limitations and future potential of such technologies are also explored.