title: 3D Printed Polycaprolactone Carbon Nanotube Composite Scaffolds for Cardiac Tissue Engineering.
abstract: Fabrication of tissue engineering scaffolds with the use of novel 3D printing has gained lot of attention, however systematic investigation of biomaterials for 3D printing have not been widely explored. In this report, well-defined structures of polycaprolactone (PCL) and PCL- carbon nanotube (PCL-CNT) composite scaffolds have been designed and fabricated using a 3D printer. Conditions for 3D printing has been optimized while the effects of varying CNT percentages with PCL matrix on the thermal, mechanical and biological properties of the printed scaffolds are studied. Raman spectroscopy is used to characterise the functionalized CNTs and its interactions with PCL matrix. Mechanical properties of the composites are characterised using nanoindentation. Maximum peak load, elastic modulus and hardness increases with increasing CNT content. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies reveal the thermal and crystalline behaviour of PCL and its CNT composites. Biodegradation studies are performed in Pseudomonas Lipase enzymatic media, showing its specificity and effect on degradation rate. Cell imaging and viability studies of H9c2 cells from rat origin on the scaffolds are performed using fluorescence imaging and MTT assay, respectively. PCL and its CNT composites are able to show cell proliferation and have the potential to be used in cardiac tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.|Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.|A*STAR's Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Level 10 Innovis and Kinesis, 138634, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chee Meng Benjamin
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.|Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.
authors.forename: Abhinay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.
authors.forename: Pearlyn Teo Pei
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: A*STAR's Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Level 10 Innovis and Kinesis, 138634, Singapore.
authors.forename: Sum Huan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.|Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.
authors.forename: Wai Yee
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Yeong
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.|Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.
authors.forename: Young-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.|Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.
authors.forename: Yong-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008049:Lipase / Q000378:metabolism; D008422:Materials Testing; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D061848:Optical Imaging; D011091:Polyesters / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D051381:Rats; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013696:Temperature; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D008049:Lipase
keywords: 3D printing; PCL; cell compatibility; nanoindentation; tissue engineering