An automated 3D visible light stereolithography platform for hydrogel-based micron-sized structures

Abstract

The tiny volume and multifunction of micron-sized biomaterial structure make them necessary for work in vivo environment, and hydrogel-based micron-sized structure is biocompatible and have easy controllable swollen ratio and great mechanical performance. Conventional manufacturing methods still have limitations in producing specific structure of micron-sized structure. Besides, the precision and volume of micro structure always compromise. Here, we present a low-cost automated 3D visible light stereolithography platform for hydrogel-based high-precision micron-sized structures. The core of the platform, light engine was refitted from an ordinary commercial projector which is safe and bio-compatible. With motorized precision stage and operating system programed by open source software, the platform could build high-precision structure at micron size automatically. Three-dimensional micro structures were printed to qualify the precision and stability of the platform. This platform provides micron-sized biomaterial structure 3D printing with high precision, wide printing area, high speed and low cost for biomedical engineering applications such as cell manipulation, drug delivery and tissue engineering.