Piezoelectric biomaterials, which generate electrical polarization in response to mechanical strain, are prized for their biocompatibility, bioresorbability, and electromechanical properties. These characteristics make them ideal for biomedical devices, wearable electronics, and bio-tissue therapeutics. However, their adoption has been hampered by weak macroscopic piezoelectricity, poor mechanical properties, and the inability to scale production effectively.
A research team led by Professor Yang Zhengbao, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at HKUST, has tackled these challenges by developing a TEA bioprinter. Collaborating with City University of Hong Kong and Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, the team's printer integrates thermally-electrically triggered aerosols for one-step, high-throughput, roll-to-roll biofilm manufacturing.
"Traditional biomolecular assembly methods require up to 48 hours for self-aligning and often result in structural defects due to limited control over dimensions and functionality," explained Professor Yang. "The associated costs and process complexity further inhibit large-scale production."
The new method employs electric field forces to manage aerosols, creating electric repulsion that stabilizes the nucleation process and facilitates precise aerosol deposition on substrates. The researchers constructed a 3D roll-to-roll TEA printer with nine nozzles connected to a power supply. Using a thermal-electric coupled field as a propellant, the printer shrinks and aerosolizes ink, depositing it onto the roll-to-roll platform to form thin films or micro patterns.
Professor Yang noted, "Our TEA method, which combines electrohydrodynamic aerosolizing and in-situ electrical poling, achieves printing speeds of approximately 8,600 mm per day. This is two orders of magnitude faster than current techniques."
He added, "For eight decades since the discovery of biological piezoelectricity, the gap between research and practical device development has persisted. Our work paves the way for industrial-scale biofilm production, enabling advances in flexible bioelectronics, wearable devices, and bio-tissue therapeutics."
Research Report:One-step high-speed thermal-electric aerosol printing of piezoelectric bio-organic films for wirelessly powering bioelectronics
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