Fundamental characteristics of printed cell structures utilizing electrostatic inkjet phenomena

Abstract In this paper, we investigated the fundamental characteristics to print cells and cell structures utilizing electrostatic inkjet phenomena. When high voltage was applied to a tube filled with conductive liquid, a small droplet was formed at the end of the tube and separated repeatedly. These phenomena were the electrostatic inkjet. The electrostatic inkjet phenomena had two merits; those were high resolution and ability to eject highly viscous liquid. These merits were preferable to print liquid with cells and liquid with scaffolds because these liquids were relatively of high viscosity. There is concern about damage on cells by high voltage application. However, in spite of high voltage application, the ejected cells were living. Current was not flowing inside cells but around cells because the membrane resistance of cell was higher than the resistance of the medium. We demonstrated to print line shape, wall shape and cylinder shape that contained cells utilizing the electrostatic inkjet.