Abstract

High Resolution 3D Printing For Microfluidic and Organ-on-Chip Applications

Aleksandr Ovsianikov, Professor, Additive Manufacturing Technologies, Technische Universität Wien

3D printing opens exciting perspectives towards rapid engineering of complex 3D structures and cell-containing constructs for microfluidic and organ-on-chip applications. In this context, multiphoton lithography (MPL) is an outstanding approach, allowing to produce complex 3D constructs with features down to sub-µm level directly in the volume of the photosensitive material, without the necessity to deposit it layer by layer. Furthermore, photosensitive material formulations and cells can be delivered by perfusing the channels, thus enabling 3D printing within already assembled microfluidic chips.

An increasing portfolio of available materials enables utilization of the versatile capabilities of MPL, from producing complex volumetric 3D structures by means of cross-linking, to creating void patters within hydrogels already containing living cells.
 
In this contribution, our recent progress on MPL for microfluidic and organ-on-chip applications and the development of according materials will be presented.