An automated 3D visible light stereolithography platform for hydrogel-based micron-sized structures

The tiny volume and multifunction of micron-sized biomaterial structure make them necessary for work in vivo environment, and hydrogel-based micron-sized structure is biocompatible and have easy controllable swollen ratio and great mechanical performance. Conventional manufacturing methods still have limitations in producing specific structure of micron-sized structure. Besides, the precision and volume of micro structure always compromise. Here, we present a low-cost automated 3D visible light stereolithography platform for hydrogel-based high-precision micron-sized structures. The core of the platform, light engine was refitted from an ordinary commercial projector which is safe and bio-compatible. With motorized precision stage and operating system programed by open source software, the platform could build high-precision structure at micron size automatically. Three-dimensional micro structures were printed to qualify the precision and stability of the platform. This platform provides micron-sized biomaterial structure 3D printing with high precision, wide printing area, high speed and low cost for biomedical engineering applications such as cell manipulation, drug delivery and tissue engineering.The tiny volume and multifunction of micron-sized biomaterial structure make them necessary for work in vivo environment, and hydrogel-based micron-sized structure is biocompatible and have easy controllable swollen ratio and great mechanical performance. Conventional manufacturing methods still have limitations in producing specific structure of micron-sized structure. Besides, the precision and volume of micro structure always compromise. Here, we present a low-cost automated 3D visible light stereolithography platform for hydrogel-based high-precision micron-sized structures. The core of the platform, light engine was refitted from an ordinary commercial projector which is safe and bio-compatible. With motorized precision stage and operating system programed by open source software, the platform could build high-precision structure at micron size automatically. Three-dimensional micro structures were printed to qualify the precision and stability of the platform. This platform provides micron-sized bio...