Liquid Handling · Bioprinting · Extrusion · 2025 · Scientific Reports
Fabrication and validation of an affordable DIY coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinter
3D bioprinting has emerged as a promising technology in tissue engineering, allowing for the precise fabrication of complex structures to mimic native tissues. Coaxial bioprinting enhances the complexity of printed structures by extruding multiple materials in concentric layers.
Performance the paper reports
1 of 5- Motion—Motion accuracy: not reported
- Volume—Volumetric accuracy: not reported
- Viability90%Cell viability: reported
- Unattended—Unattended operation: not reported
- Standard—Standard compliance: not reported
- Cell viability90%
However, cell viability in printed conditions recovered to over 90% after 7 days.
How hard this is to adopt
3.4 of 5, higher is easierEach score is shown against the range the other 59 builds actually occupy, because no criterion uses the full 1–5 scale. These describe how reproducible the build is, not how good the science is.
Resolution
3/1–5Extrusion set to 0.917 and 1.529 uL/s (55-92 uL/min) through a 200 µm inner needle; no volumetric accuracy or pulsation measurement, only shape fidelity.
Throughput
4/2–5Two stepper-driven syringe extruders on separate TMC2209 drivers, core-shell ratio programmable 100-0 to 50-50 and gradient-switched mid-print via M166.
Parts sourcing
4/2–4Mostly off-the-shelf or kit-based components.
Skill needed
2/2–4Multiple advanced technical skills appear required.
Facilities needed
4/2–4Uses common benchtop/desktop equipment or generic consumables.
Documentation
4/2–5Open resources include several build or operation artifacts.
Validation effort
3/2–4Shape fidelity across core-shell ratios, two nozzle geometries, four inks, rheology, CFD and 14-day viability, but no experimental benchmark against a commercial coaxial bioprinter.
Cycle time
3/1–4No timing comparison reported; only absolute print speed of 3 mm/s and 1 h shell gelation, with no conventional or commercial reference.
2 further criteria are recorded but not shown
- Application Level — scored 4 (75% of records share one value), so it cannot separate one build from another.
- Build Time (scored for only 6 of 60 records), so it cannot separate one build from another.
Both remain in the published dataset.
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Record metadata
Publication data
Matched by doi · retrieved 2026-07-21
Abstract
3D bioprinting has emerged as a promising technology in tissue engineering, allowing for the precise fabrication of complex structures to mimic native tissues. Coaxial bioprinting enhances the complexity of printed structures by extruding multiple materials in concentric layers. However, costly commercial systems and a lack of Do-it-Yourself (DIY) guides for coaxial 3D bioprinting limit the wider adoption of this technology. This study presents a detailed description of modifying a commercial 3D printer to a coaxial 3D bioprinting system that simultaneously drives two syringe pump extruders connected to a coaxial nozzle. The system was validated using a soft alginate-gelatin hydrogel core and a load-bearing methylcellulose-based (MC) hydrogel shell. Shape fidelity of the 3D printed structures was evaluated for core-shell extrusion ratio, coaxial nozzle configuration, and in-situ crosslinking of the hydrogel core. Employing optimized printing settings allowed the fabrication of complex scaffold structures with a gradual transition between the extrusion of core and shell material. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) encapsulated in varying alginate concentrations were printed, maintaining shape fidelity and high cell viability. In conclusion, we developed a cost-effective DIY coaxial 3D bioprinter capable of extruding soft cell-laden hydrogels that are not printable by conventional extrusion bioprinting. This printer presents an easy to build and modify platform to encourage a wider audience to utilize and tailor coaxial bioprinting for their specific requirements.
Bibliographic details
Access and metrics
Topics and keywords
Funding
- Generalitat de Catalunya · 2021 SGR 00565
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación · PID2022-137962OBI00
Perspective and practical signals
Why it matters
Coaxial extrusion expands tool capability (e.g., core–shell) with DIY accessibility.
Limitations
No limitation note curated yet.