Fugitive inks for direct-write assembly of three-dimensional microvascular networks

The development of a fugitive ink that enables the direct-write assembly of 3D scaffolds ( with more than a hundred layers) that retain their shape during fabrication and sebsequent matrix infiltration under ambient condition was discussed. A controlled stress rheometer was used to analyze the ink rheology as a function of composition. The ink elasticity increased early from ∼0.1 MPa to 1 MPa with increasing weight fraction of microcrystalline wax under ambient condition. Analysis shows that the binary organic ink enables the direct-write assembly of 3D scaffolds with higher aspect ratios and improves shape retention under ambient condition.