Resolution and shape in bioprinting: Strategizing towards complex tissue and organ printing

In 3D bioprinting, printing resolution represents the deposited material in the x- and y-axes, while dimensionality defines the structural resolution of printed constructs. Dimensionality in 3D bioprinting can be defined as the resolution in the z-axis. The printing resolution, together with dimensionality, contributes to the overall shape fidelity of the bioprinted constructs. The in-depth understanding of physical processes for different printing technologies is imperative in controlling the print resolution and definition. In this article, bioprinting technologies are classified according to the physical processes that deposit or form the bioprinted construct. Due to the different fabrication processes in forming fundamental printed units (voxels), the definition of printability differs for each bioprinting technique. Another aspect of resolution is the spatial positioning of cells within each fundamental building unit. The proximity of cells in the bioprinted construct affects the physiological outcom...