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International

Journal of Bioprinting

REVIEW ARTICLE
3D bioprinting of anisotropic filler-reinforced

polymer nanocomposites: Synthesis, assembly,
and multifunctional applications

Yun Wu , Sayan Ganguly 2,3† , and Xiaowu Shirley Tang *
2,3
1†
1 College of Textile Science and Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
2 Department of Chemistry & Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo,
Ontario, Canada
3 Centre for Eye and Vision Research Limited, Hong Kong
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Convergence of 3D Bioprinting and Nanotechnology)

Abstract

Bioprinting is a novel technique with a wide range of potential uses, including the
fabrication of functioning tissue constructs for use in the biomedical sectors. It is a
revolutionary method for high-throughput manufacturing that automates fine control
over manufactured structures. Bioink refers to the solution of biomaterials usually
encapsulating cells used in the bioprinting process; this bioink often encapsulates the
appropriate cell types. In order to create the ultimate architecture, this bioink should
† These authors contributed equally solidify during or shortly after bioprinting. Bioinks can be developed from either
to this work. all-natural or all-synthetic biomaterials, or a blend of the two. Cell aggregation can
occasionally be used as a bioink without addition of any biomaterials, in bioprinting
*Corresponding author:
Xiaowu Shirley Tang process. To bioprint functional tissues and organs, an optimal bioink should possess
(tangxw@uwaterloo.ca) mechanical, rheological, and biological characteristics mimicking those of the target
Citation: Wu Y, Ganguly S, tissues. For attaining physicomechanical properties, anisotropic fillers are commonly
Tang XS. 3D bioprinting of added in bioink formulations. In this review, we provide an in-depth discussion of
anisotropic filler-reinforced polymer various anisotropic fillers used in bioprinting and their fabrication techniques, and
nanocomposites: Synthesis,
assembly, and multifunctional outline their multifunctional applicability in biomedical and environmental areas.
applications. Int J Bioprint. Given the steady growth of bioprinting market, we also present the global scenario
2024;10(2):1637. of the bioprinting market and their techno-commercial orientations.
doi: 10.36922/ijb.1637
Received: August 19, 2023
Accepted: October 19, 2023 Keywords: 3D printing; Cell-laden scaffolds; Bioink; Biofabrication; Bioprinting;
Published Online: February 5, 2024 Commercialization
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s).
This is an Open Access article
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution
License, permitting distribution, 1. Introduction
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a groundbreaking technology that holds great
properly cited. significance in tissue engineering. It enables the precise fabrication of intricate 3D
Publisher’s Note: AccScience structures by depositing biomaterials, cells, and bioactive factors layer by layer. One of the
Publishing remains neutral with main benefits of 3D bioprinting is its ability to precisely control the spatial arrangement
regard to jurisdictional claims in of components within the fabricated constructs. This level of control enables the creation
published maps and institutional
affiliations. of biomimetic tissue architectures, encompassing intricate vasculature networks and

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 80 doi: 10.36922/ijb.1637