A recent study from IMDEA Materials Institute has confirmed that 3D-printed carbon microlattices can serve as tunable scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The findings, published in the journal Small Structures, provide an innovative solution for the field of bone repair.

The research team used polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) for 3D printing, transforming it into pyrolytic carbon (PyC) scaffolds through high-temperature pyrolysis. Project leader Dr. Monsur Islam stated: "This is the first comprehensive in vitro evaluation of 3D-printed PyC scaffolds. We have successfully achieved carbon-based structures that guide cell behavior without the need for bioactive additives."

The carbon microlattice offers three major advantages: first, mechanical properties and surface characteristics can be precisely controlled by adjusting pyrolysis temperatures from 500°C to 900°C; second, the material maintains structural integrity despite an 80% shrinkage rate, enabling higher printing resolution; third, its mechanical properties match those of natural bone while exhibiting excellent biocompatibility.

Experimental data showed that scaffolds processed at lower temperatures contain more oxygen groups, promoting cell proliferation, while those treated at higher temperatures exhibit superior mechanical strength and conductivity. Dr. Islam noted: "This programmable characteristic provides flexible options for clinical treatments, marking a significant breakthrough in the application of carbon materials in regenerative medicine."

Compared to traditional polymer or ceramic scaffolds, PyC microlattices combine processability and functionality, with better compatibility for MRI monitoring than metal implants. This research opens new pathways for developing personalized bone repair solutions.