3D bioprinting enables the production of precisely controlled 3D cell models and tissue constructs by creating anatomically shaped substrates with tissue-like complexity.^(*) So far, light- and extrusion-based bioprinting techniques have been used to produce such objects. The Australian research team is now introducing a fast three-dimensional (3D) printing technique in which an object is created at the boundary of an acoustically driven, confined air-liquid interface. 

The new process is called Dynamic Interface Printing (DIP). Like other light-based printing techniques, DIP first requires a digital 3D model of the desired geometry to be translated into a series of images displayed sequentially by the projection system. An air-liquid interface is formed at the base of a partially submerged printhead. This boundary functions as a printing interface in which structured projections are used to locally solidify the photopolymer. The new printing principle has the ability to oscillate the printing interface through acoustic modulation. These vibrations can be used either to improve the light-based printing process or to expand the degree of pattern formation for 3D printing designs.

According to the authors, the technique is suitable for a wide range of materials and complex geometries, including those that cannot be printed using conventional layer-by-layer methods. They expect this approach will be particularly valuable for applications requiring high-resolution, scalable throughput and biocompatible printing. The authors conclude that DIP is advantageous for creating biological models due to its fast printing rate and minimal shear along the air-liquid interface compared to other methods. They have already used DIP to create a variety of centimeter-sized objects in a few seconds.

Original article:
Vidler, C., Halwes, M., Kolesnik, K. et al. (2024). Dynamic interface printing. Nature 634, 1096–1102. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08077-6

Additional information:
^(*) https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/DE/de/technical-documents/technical-article/cell-culture-and-cell-culture-analysis/3d-cell-culture/3d-bioprinting-bio inks?srsltid=AfmBOop9H4JtYy4am8M7Tfv5K9AKWWz7Er5N7-8mkqkGViKOHQOnyAdq