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International Journal of Bioprinting Nozzle optimization for multi-ink bioprinting

Figure 4. Nozzle design proposal using numerical simulation and its performance test. (A) Schematics of five asymmetrical nozzles prepared for simulation
with ink flow and combinations of ink concentrations. Gray and white arrows indicate input flow directions. Conditions 1 and 2 (detailed in the table)
are applied to the red and blue areas of the schematic for analysis. (B) Effects of flow direction on Se in five asymmetrical single nozzles in numerical
simulations under conditions 1 and 2. (C) Schematics of the T-junction and asymmetry nozzles (I–III) prepared for simulation and experiment. Gray
and white arrows indicate input flow directions. Conditions A and B (detailed in the table) are applied to the red and blue areas shown in the schematic,
followed by analysis. (D) Comparison of switching efficiency (Se) between the T-junction nozzle and asymmetrical nozzles (I–III) in numerical simulation
(represented by white bars) and experiment (represented by black bars). Experimental data were collected five times for each sample. Data are presented
as mean ± S.D.; * p < 0.05. “N” indicates that switching did not occur within 20 s.

on the observation of the effects of the conjunction angle To validate this strategy, three types of asymmetrical
and viscosity on switching. We also anticipate that this nozzles were proposed and fabricated, and their Se values
strategy can counterbalance the influence of flow direction, were analyzed both numerically and experimentally. In
enabling efficient switching of different viscous inks. simulations, different viscous inks (0.5 and 1.0 wt%) were

Volume 10 Issue 5 (2024) 160 doi: 10.36922/ijb.4091