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International Journal of Bioprinting Bioprinting for wearable tech and robot

Bioprinting can further enhance the development of Bioprinting for bone and cartilage repair and
neuromorphic systems. Firstly, soft biomaterials, such regeneration is currently a flourishing area of interest. By
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as biocompatible hydrogels and organic polymers, can using customized biomaterials and bioinks, researchers can
mimic the pliable and dynamic characteristics of biological create scaffold-like structures that mimic the natural ECM
synapses. Cheng et al. reported a hardware synapse that of bone and cartilage for cell growth and tissue stimulation.
utilizes a photonic integrated-circuit approach. The Li et al. used bioprinting to fabricate a biomimetic scaffold
synapse incorporates phase-change materials with silicon for humeral head regeneration. The strategy was versatile
nitride waveguides, where synaptic weight can be adjusted and scalable for repairing large joints and represented a
by the number of optical pulses applied. The research offers modulation of endochondral ossification for bioprinted
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a simple but effective method to achieve synaptic plasticity anisotropic scaffolds (Figure 5a). Liu et al. proposed a
that closely mimics the analog behavior of biological hierarchical fabrication strategy for ceramic-reinforced
synapses (Figure 4e). In parallel, advances in bioprinting organo-hydrogels, which exhibited high stiffness, strength,
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enable the creation of customized neural networks (i.e., and toughness through multi-scale energy dissipation. The
brain-on-chip models), where specific neuronal types study extended the design principles of natural materials
and connections can be accurately positioned according to fabricate composite hydrogels with mechanical and
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to predefined designs. This capability allows researchers functional enhancement (Figure 5b). Du et al. combined
to explore various neural configurations and their impact manganese silicate (MS) nanoparticles with tendon/bone-
on neuromorphic system behaviors, providing more related cells to create immunomodulatory multicellular
effective solutions in neurocomputing applications. Fu scaffolds for tendon-to-bone regeneration. These scaffolds,
et al. presented self-powered neuromorphic interfaces for leveraging biomimetic cellular distribution and MS
biological signal matching through synthesized protein nanoparticles, exhibited enhanced cellular differentiation.
nanowires. Based on these protein nanowires, flexible Animal studies confirmed that these scaffolds effectively
neuromorphic systems capable of intelligently processing achieved immunomodulation, regeneration, and
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biologically relevant stimuli for adaptive responses have functional recovery at tendon-to-bone interfaces. Jo
also been developed. The sustainable nature and potential et al. developed a bioink by integrating MXene nanoparticles
multifunctionality of protein nanowires enhance the with GelMA and Hyaluronic Acid Methacrylated
potential for biological integration of these interfaces (HAMA)hydrogels to enhance myogenesis in
(Figure 4f). 113 3D-bioprinted constructs. These bioinks demonstrated

Although the interdisciplinary study of bioprinting excellent printability and cytocompatibility, as well as
and neuromorphic technology is still in its nascent stages, promoted skeletal muscle cell differentiation without
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it presents a promising frontier for future exploration. additional agents (Figure 5c). Huan et al. developed
Likewise, bioprinting applications in the brain may extend a bioprinted autologous bone (AB) scaffold for bone
to the development of brain organoids, personalized regeneration using a PCL shell and bone marrow-derived
medicine, neurodegenerative disease models, and drug mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) hydrogel. The scaffold
testing platforms. Its ability to create intricate neural demonstrated excellent cellular affinity and enhanced
osteogenic differentiation. It also promoted new bone
networks and complex tissue structures opens diverse and osteoid formation in beagle dog cranial defects
possibilities for both basic research and clinical applications
in neuroscience. over nine months. Further in vivo results indicated
BMSC differentiation into various tissues, highlighting
5. Exoskeleton robots the potential of the bioprinting approach in clinical
applications (Figure 5d).
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5.1. Bioprinted skeleton Future research in the bioprinting of bone and cartilage
The skeletal system, consisting of bones and cartilage, will likely emphasize the development of innovative
serves crucial functions within the human body. Bones biomaterials, improvement of printing technologies for
provide a rigid framework for the body and enable higher-resolution structures, and exploration of dynamic
movement, support, and protection of organs and tissues. biophysical stimuli to enhance tissue functionality.
Additionally, bones play critical roles in hematopoiesis,
calcium homeostasis, and regulation of acid-base balance. 5.2. Bioprinting of exoskeleton
Cartilage is a critical connective tissue that covers bone The significant contributions of bioprinting in bone
surfaces in joints, supporting load transmission and research suggest its potential for developing user-friendly
lubrication. Furthermore, cartilage serves as a shock and customizable exoskeleton robots. Exoskeleton
absorber and enables smooth movement in joints. robots are wearable apparatuses that function as external

Volume 10 Issue 6 (2024) 28 doi: 10.36922/ijb.3590