In order to increase the diversity of structure and the complexity of internal porous architecture, a new approach of CAD file
conception can be used. In this optic, we developed a new generation of sophisticated, stable, and highly interconnected porous
scaffolds based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS)
(Fig. 1) [3]. TPMS architectures are infinite and periodic in the
3D Euclidean space and belong to the interesting class of minimal
surfaces [4–6]. Minimal surfaces are frequently encountered in
nature and play an essential role in guiding chemical, biochemical,
and cellular processes [7–10]. The natural organization of minimal
surface structures responds to physical principle that governs the
forms and the motions of objects, the principle of free energy
minimization. In nature and man-made environments, the systems
normally try to arrange themselves to minimize their potential
energy in order to consume less energy and leading to a better
stability [11]. Consequently, the term “minimal surface” is directly
linked to the surface energy and represents the lowest possible
potential energy that a surface can have if its energy is proportional
to the surface area. In addition, the minimization of the surface
energy leads automatically to typical curved structure with respect
of the initial fixed boundary [6, 12, 13].
The study of TPMS architecture scaffolds allows to give a new
dimension and vision of the tissue engineering scaffold designs.
Indeed, in addition to the great benefit of such structures in
terms of interconnectivity, high specific tortuosity and maximization of the specific surface area, TPMS architectures based on such
concept of minimal surface energy display specific surface curvature
distribution, which has been proved to be also a significant parameter that can influence cell behavior and therefore tissue formation
[14, 15].
SL technique is chosen to produce these complex scaffolds
using two different materials, a rubber-like material poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) and a stiff material poly(D,L-lactide)
(PDLLA). The synthesis of the photosensitive resins is conveniently
prepared in two successive steps with high yields (Fig. 2), and the
resin was successfully used by SL to develop a library of different
TPMS architecture scaffolds.
2 Materials
The described protocol requires access to a chemistry wet lab with
standard equipment.
1. Trimethylene carbonate (TMC). Monomers must be stored at
À20
C in sealed containers.
2. DL-Lactide (DLLA). Monomers must be stored at À20
C in
sealed containers.
20
Sebastien B. G. Blanquer and Dirk W. Grijpma
conception can be used. In this optic, we developed a new generation of sophisticated, stable, and highly interconnected porous
scaffolds based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS)
(Fig. 1) [3]. TPMS architectures are infinite and periodic in the
3D Euclidean space and belong to the interesting class of minimal
surfaces [4–6]. Minimal surfaces are frequently encountered in
nature and play an essential role in guiding chemical, biochemical,
and cellular processes [7–10]. The natural organization of minimal
surface structures responds to physical principle that governs the
forms and the motions of objects, the principle of free energy
minimization. In nature and man-made environments, the systems
normally try to arrange themselves to minimize their potential
energy in order to consume less energy and leading to a better
stability [11]. Consequently, the term “minimal surface” is directly
linked to the surface energy and represents the lowest possible
potential energy that a surface can have if its energy is proportional
to the surface area. In addition, the minimization of the surface
energy leads automatically to typical curved structure with respect
of the initial fixed boundary [6, 12, 13].
The study of TPMS architecture scaffolds allows to give a new
dimension and vision of the tissue engineering scaffold designs.
Indeed, in addition to the great benefit of such structures in
terms of interconnectivity, high specific tortuosity and maximization of the specific surface area, TPMS architectures based on such
concept of minimal surface energy display specific surface curvature
distribution, which has been proved to be also a significant parameter that can influence cell behavior and therefore tissue formation
[14, 15].
SL technique is chosen to produce these complex scaffolds
using two different materials, a rubber-like material poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) and a stiff material poly(D,L-lactide)
(PDLLA). The synthesis of the photosensitive resins is conveniently
prepared in two successive steps with high yields (Fig. 2), and the
resin was successfully used by SL to develop a library of different
TPMS architecture scaffolds.
2 Materials
The described protocol requires access to a chemistry wet lab with
standard equipment.
1. Trimethylene carbonate (TMC). Monomers must be stored at
À20
C in sealed containers.
2. DL-Lactide (DLLA). Monomers must be stored at À20
C in
sealed containers.
20
Sebastien B. G. Blanquer and Dirk W. Grijpma