Fabrication of stacked-ring netted tubular constructs via 3D template electrohydrodynamic printing

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing is an emerging additive manufacturing process which provides several opportunities for advanced fiber patterning and alignment. In this study, stacked-ring netted tubular constructs were printed using controlled EHD fiber deposition. To achieve this, a modified EHD system was developed which integrated air and heating moduli, in addition to a 3D cylindrical collector. The impact of additional peripheral components was evident through enhanced solidification of as-formed polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer fiber prints, which further enabled fabrication of stacked PCL fiber rings. Subsequently, stacked-ring netted tubular constructs (via x-axis deposition manipulation) were fabricated. Electric field simulations were used to elucidate construct formation mechanism. The modified printing system provides much needed control on fiber deposition and solidification, enabling integration of essential bio-interface features and morphologies (e.g., tissue structure and surface mimicry) for advanced 3D biomaterial engineering.