(165c) 3D Printing Biohybrid Polymer Composites

The majority of 3D-printed biohybrid polymeric materials are printed on flat surfaces limiting the complexity and size of the materials. However, since these inks of materials are typically extremely soft, they require crosslinking as they are 3D printed. Therefore, fixing the final mechanical properties of these materials during 3D printing. We overcome these challenges, by utilizing a 3D support media that fixes the ink into place allowing for the cells to grow prior to post-processing (biomineralization or crosslinking). Here, we 3D print the bacteria, Escherichia coli or mycelium, Aspergillus niger with crosslinkable polymer into a granular hydrogel support bath. We demonstrate how crosslinking and biomineralization post-incubation of the 3D printed materials impact the mechanics of the biohybrid polymer composites. Our results thus provide fundamental insights into how the growth of cells in confined environments can affect the mechanics of 3D-printed microbial polymer composites.