Tissue scaffolds fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting are attracting considerableattention for tissue engineering applications. Because the mechanical properties of hydrogelscaffolds should match the damaged tissue, changing various parameters during 3D bioprintinghas been studied to manipulate the mechanical behavior of the resulting scaffolds. Crosslinkingscaffolds using a cation solution (such as CaCl2) is also important for regulating the mechanicalproperties, but has not been well documented in the literature. Here, the effect of variedcrosslinking agent volume and crosslinking time on the mechanical behavior of 3D bioplottedalginate scaffolds was evaulated using both experimental and numerical methods. Compressiontests were used to measure the elastic modulus of each scaffold, then a finite element model wasdeveloped and a power model used to predict scaffold mechanical behavior. Results showed thatcrosslinking time and volume of crosslinker both play a decisive role in modulating the mechanicalproperties of 3D bioplotted scaffolds. Because mechanical properties of scaffolds can affect cellresponse, the findings of this study can be implemented to modulate the elastic modulus ofscaffolds according to the intended application.
Influence of crosslinking on the mechanical behavior of 3D printed alginate scaffolds: Experimental and numerical approaches
