Solidification of Gelatine Hydrogels by Using a Cryoplatform and Its Validation through CFD Approaches

Autor: Yasir Beeran Pottathara, Miha Jordan, Timi Gomboc, Blaž Kamenik, Boštjan Vihar, Vanja Kokol, Matej Zadravec
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Gels, Vol 8, Iss 6, p 368 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2310-2861
DOI: 10.3390/gels8060368
Popis: In this work, we developed a numerical approach based on an experimental platform to determine the working conditions on a cryoplatform and to predict and evaluate the cryogenic printing of hydrogels. Although hydrogels have good biocompatibility, their material properties make it difficult to print them with high precision and shape fidelity. To overcome these problems, a cryogenic cooling platform was introduced to accelerate the physical stabilisation of each deposited layer during the printing process. By precisely controlling solidification (crystallisation), each printed material can withstand its own weight to maintain shape fidelity, and the porosity of the scaffolds can also be controlled more selectively. The thermophysical properties of gelatine hydrogels were investigated to gain a better understanding of the phase change upon freezing. The corresponding material properties and experimental observations of gelatine solidification served as the basis for developing a computational fluid model (CFD) to mimic the solidification of gelatine hydrogels using a cryoplatform at different process conditions and extruder speeds. The goal was to develop a tool simple enough to predict acceptable process conditions for printing gelatine hydrogels using a cryoplatform.
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